The Commonwealth has entered into a new Strategic Agreement with Medicines Australia (the Agreement) acting on behalf of the innovator medicines industry. The Agreement contains a commitment that the Commonwealth support a Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review (the Review). Part of the Review will involve engaging an expert to undertake an analysis of current methods used by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, contemporary research and relevant methodologies and purchasing practices used by comparable international jurisdictions. The scope of the work sought by the Department may be expanded to also include an examination of the same matters as applicable to the methods used by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) to ensure consistency across HTA.
1 The contractor will be required to undertake that analysis under the direction of a Reference Committee for the Review and will include, but not be limited to, analysis of contemporary research and methodologies used by comparable jurisdictions in relation to:
o selection of comparators
o methods for evaluating rare diseases for reimbursement and alternative funding pathways if required
o methods for evaluating new and emerging technologies (including cell and gene therapies, and other precision-based medicines) and the suitability of existing funding pathways as required
o methods for evaluating all new medicines and vaccines
o use of real-world evidence for evaluation including use of evidence from sources other than randomised controlled trials
o managing clinical, economic, financial, and other uncertainty
o examining the feasibility of international work sharing for reimbursement submissions
2 Perform additional project work on an as needs basis and sometimes in a short timeframe. This may include the analysis of relevant broader microeconomic policies and methodologies used to make funding decisions in areas that go beyond health technology assessment; outcomes of reforms to health technology assessment in comparable jurisdictions; and summarising submissions to the review from patients, industry, health practitioners and relevant representative bodies.
3 Provide draft and final reports that detail the findings of the analysis.
4 Attend meetings held by the Reference Committee for the Review and discussions with relevant officers in the Department.