HTAi Review | April 25, 2025

◤ Breaking News

◤ Countdown to the HTAi 2025 Annual Meeting

Are you ready to connect with the global HTA community at the HTAi 2025 Annual Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina? Join us June 14–18, 2025, for an engaging conference featuring high-quality presentations and workshops on NextGen Evidence and the future of HTA.

Standard registration rates are now in effect. HTAi members receive exclusive discounts on Annual Meeting registration. Renew your membership when you register to take advantage of preferred pricing.

Want to Network? Get ready for BRAINDATES Networking Lounge!

You are joining the Annual Meeting to meet great people and learn about new things. How do you spark meaningful conversation? It all starts with a Braindate.

What is a Braindate?
Braindates are knowledge-sharing conversations that you book with others one-on-one or in small groups on-site in the Braindate Lounge. They’re the best way to brainstorm, solve challenges, share expertise or experiences, while connecting with new (brilliant!) people.

Reasons to Braindate VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjUxVjHlFLY

How it works:

Log in to book your braindates as soon as the Braindate platform is launched in June.
Explore the Topic Market: participants (and you!) will post Braindate Topics in the Topic Market, related to discussions you’d like to have with others during the event. You can invite anyone to meet based on your topic! -> Start thinking now, about the Topics you would like to discuss!
Create topics: post Braindate Topics about discussions you’d like to have. This is your opportunity to share your knowledge, experiences, and expertise!
Book your braindates: send invitations to meet others to discuss their topics, and accept the invitations you receive. Once confirmed, your braindates will take place on-site in the Braindate Lounge.

Check back often for more information on Braindates!

Braindates are kindly supported by Astra Zeneca

HTAi 2025 Annual Meeting Agenda is LIVE online!

The program agenda for the HTAi 2025 Annual Meeting is now available online! With hundreds of insightful sessions, including Workshops, Panels, Orals, Posters, and Symposia, this year’s program promises to deliver valuable content for every HTA professional. Start planning your schedule— head over to the Annual Meeting website and peruse the incredible presentations waiting for you in Buenos Aires!

View the Agenda

Workshop Watch

Engage, learn, and grow— dive into HTAi 2025 Annual Meeting Workshops!

Designed to share innovative experiences and best practices, Annual Meeting workshops offer hands-on learning and skill development through interactive half and full-day sessions. Whether you’re looking to enhance your expertise or gain fresh insights, these workshops provide a dynamic, engaging experience for all participants. Workshops can be booked during the regular registration process. If you only plan to attend workshops, and not the main conference, simply select “Workshop Only” when registering.

View this week’s featured workshops below!

WS10 – Advancing HTA With The Global PED Navigator: Workshop On Co-Creation, Monitoring, And Gap Identification In Patient Experience Data

Date & Time: Sunday, June 15 | 9.00AM to 12.30PM
Presenters: Hayley Chapman, Neil Bertelsen
Summary: Patient Experience Data (PED) is becoming a key element of evidence considered by HTA. It is necessary to clarify suitable PED for HTA mandates and how PED could be interpreted within value assessments. The Global PED Navigator is a framework developed by an international multistakeholder consortium. Participants will co-create an HTA-specific iteration of the PED Navigator, enhancing HTA processes by integrating patient input while addressing methodological transparency and data gaps.

WS11 – HB-HTA: From Adaptation At Local Level To Collaboration At Global Level

Date & Time: Sunday, June 15 | 9.00AM to 12.30PM
Presenters: Rossella Di Bidino, Iga Lipska, Laura Sampietro-Colom, Americo Cicchetti, Marco Marchetti, Marisa Santos, Jani Mueller, Abhirup Dutta
Summary: Hospital-Based HTA (HB-HTA) assesses health technologies within the specific context of hospitals, requiring close collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders. This workshop introduces HB-HTA, shares best practices from various countries, and explores how HB-HTA can work effectively with managers and HTA agencies. Strategies to foster collaborative initiatives and give visibility to HB-HTA will also be discussed.

WS12 – Introduction To Information Retrieval For Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

Date & Time: Sunday, June 15 | 9.00AM to 12.30PM
Presenters: Siw Waffenschmidt, Rebeca Isabel Gómez, Daniel Comandé, Lisa Tjosvold
Summary: During this half-day introductory workshop, participants will learn about literature searching for HTA and other evidence syntheses, discuss issues relevant to their own search practices and hear how other HTA organizations organize their services.This workshop, organized by the HTAi Information Retrieval Group (IRG), will be presented by a variety of speakers from a number of countries and continents at various stages of their career.

WS13 – Next Generation Early Awareness And Horizon Scanning: The New Toolkit 3.0 From EuroScan/i-HTS On Supporting Value-Based Decision Making

Date & Time: Sunday, June 15 | 9.00AM to 12.30PM
Presenters: Maximilian Otte, Nora Ibargoyen-Ibarluzea, Rosmin Esmail, Hans-Peter Dauben
Summary: This workshop introduces EuroScan’s new toolkit 3.0, designed to guide stakeholders from early idea development to regulatory and HTA processes, enhancing value-based healthcare decision-making. Participants will engage with structured methodologies and apply them to scenarios in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and public health. Aligned with HTAi and EuroScan’s Early Awareness curriculum, this session empowers participants to drive informed, impactful decisions within healthcare systems.

WS14 – Patient And Citizen Involvement: NextGen Participation To Achieve More Transparent, Equitable, And Fair Health Systems

Date & Time: Sunday, June 15 | 9.00AM to 12.30PM
Presenters: Aline Silveira Silva, Fiona Pearce, Veronica Lopez Gousset, Manuel Donato, Catherine Fischer, Adriana Robayo, Diego Gil Cardozo, Robyn Manuel, Zal Press
Summary: This workshop, led by the HTAi Patient and Citizen Involvement Interest Group (PCIG) begins with an introduction to key concepts, methods and approaches to patient involvement, including examples of international and regional good practice and tools. This is followed by the choice of three deep dive dialogues: regional and international exchange; patient evidence generation; and equity and fairness.

Plan Ahead for a Smooth Entry

If you’re traveling to Argentina, a visa may be required depending on your country of residence. While many travelers do not need a visa, some do—and the approval process can take time. Avoid last-minute delays by reviewing your entry requirements and starting your application early.

Need guidance? Visit the HTAi 2025 Annual Meeting website for visa details, or contact the Annual Meeting team at annualmeeting@htai.org for support.

◤ HTAi Latin America Policy Forum Opens Call for Membership

Are you interested in helping shape the future of health policy in Latin America?

HTAi is now accepting Expressions of Interest from for-profit organizational members to join the Latin America Policy Forum—an exclusive platform that unites senior leaders from the public and private sectors across the region.

Each year, the Latin America Policy Forum convenes to exchange ideas, share insights, and collaborate on strategies that drive meaningful public health outcomes. This is the perfect opportunity to engage with top HTA stakeholders and influence regional policy discussions at the highest level! Learn more about the opportunity and how to apply— click the button below!

Learn More

◤ Registration Now Open: HTAi MENA Regional Meeting 2025

HTAi is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Meeting, taking place September 24–25, 2025, in Tunis, Tunisia. Hosted in collaboration with INEAS, this event will bring together HTA producers, users, policymakers, and researchers to explore regionally relevant issues, build technical capacity, and strengthen collaboration across the MENA region.

Participants can look forward to expert presentations, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Take advantage of early bird rates and register today!

Learn More and Register

◤ Last Call to Vote: HTAi Board Election 2025

The HTAi Board Election 2025 concludes this week!

The HTAi Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance and alignment with the Society’s mission. Board members bring their expertise to guide decision-making, evaluate financial and operational performance, and strengthen governance frameworks. They actively participate in meetings, contribute to strategic initiatives, and uphold the highest ethical standards. Through informed judgment, collaboration, and consensus-building, the Board advances the Society’s long-term success while representing the interests of its diverse stakeholders.

As an HTAi member, your vote directly impacts the Society’s leadership and future direction. Every member’s voice matters — your participation helps build a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking organization.

The HTAi Board Election 2025 closes on April 30, 2025. Ballots have been emailed to all members in good standing by CES, our trusted third-party electoral service. Votes must be submitted using the unique electronic ballot provided. Still need to establish your 2025 membership? Renew your membership today.

To review your 2025 Candidates, follow the button below.

Review the Candidates

◤ A Look Back

◤ World Immunization Week: How HTAi supports global health

the vital role vaccines play in protecting people of all ages. The 2025 theme emphasizes the collective effort needed to ensure equitable vaccine access. HTAi is proud to celebrate this global initiative, recognizing the essential role HTA plays in advancing immunization for all. Through rigorous evidence-based evaluations of vaccine effectiveness, cost, and societal impact, HTA helps guide approvals, public awareness, and resource allocation. Learn more about how HTAi supports evidence-based immunization efforts— click the button below!

◤HTAi Joins 3rd General Assembly of the SUSTAIN-HTA Project held in Budapest

HTAi joined the global HTA community in Budapest for the 3rd General Assembly of the SUSTAIN-HTA Project, a key milestone in advancing Health Technology Assessment across Europe. The meeting brought together project partners to review early outcomes, share implementation ideas, and shape the future direction of the initiative. Discussions emphasized collaboration, the application of the HTA Competency Framework, and sustaining impact beyond the project’s funded period.

Learn more about the Congress

◤ Network News

◤ Welcome to the new Scientific Development and Capacity Building Committee Members!

HTAi would like to welcome the newest members of the HTAi Scientific Development and Capacity Building (SDCB) Committee!

The SDCB Committee plays a vital role in guiding the scientific direction of the Society, developing HTA capacity globally, and ensuring quality of initiatives endorsed by HTAi. In the last months, HTAi opened a call for expressions of interest to identify four new Committee members. We are thrilled to introduce:

Ella Fitzpatrick (from NICE, UK)
Rossella Di Bidino (from Sacred Heart Catholic University, Italy)
Judit Banhazi (from ConnectHEOR, Switzerland)
Umakanth Vudumula (from HIQA, Ireland)

These outstanding individuals bring diverse experiences and insights to the Committee, further strengthening our mission to advance #health technology assessment (HTA).

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Ella, Rossella, Judit, and Umakanth!

◤ RDIG Opens Call for Steering Committee

The HTAi Rare Diseases Interest Group (RDIG)—one of HTAi’s most active and impactful groups—is seeking applications for an open position on its Steering Committee. This is a unique opportunity to help guide the strategic direction and governance of a globally connected group driving international dialogue in rare diseases. The three-year term begins in June 2025 and may be renewed. Applicants should bring substantial experience in rare diseases and a commitment to collaborative leadership. RDIG is especially welcoming applications from outside Europe to support geographic diversity, and encourages interest from patient representatives, the medical device industry, and the healthcare sector.

Applications close May 9, 2025.

Learn More

◤ DEA-IG Opens Call for Co-Chair

The HTAi Disinvestment & Early Awareness Interest Group (DEA IG) is inviting Expressions of Interest for a Co-Chair position. This leadership role includes chairing meetings, setting agendas, evaluating the Technical Officer, and ensuring the Interest Group aligns with HTAi policies. One Co-Chair also represents the group on the HTAi Interest Group Steering Committee, attending most meetings annually. To apply, candidates must submit their motivation, a short bio, and ideas for future initiatives via the application form. EOIs are open until May 15, 2025, with elections taking place in early May. All DEA IG members are eligible to nominate themselves and vote.

Learn More

◤Join our next HTAi | RedETSA Webinar

Join HTAi and RedETSA for a joint webinar on May 26, from 9:00 to 10:30 MDT / 15:00 to 16:30 CEST, exploring HTA methodologies for in vitro diagnostics. This 90-minute session will feature expert presentations on diagnostic evaluation methods, value frameworks, and real-world case studies from Latin America and Europe. The event includes a panel discussion with live Q&A.

Learn More and Register

◤ HTA News from Around the World

Canada’s Drug Agency releases position statement to guide use of AI Methods in HTA.

HiTAP participates in 3rd Regional Workshop to advance HTA capacity across Asia.

First Join Clinical Assessments begin in Europe under the new HTA Regulation.

◤ IJTAHC Featured Publications

The role and value of real-world evidence in health technology decision-making in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK: insights on external control arms.

Towards institutionalizing HTA in Ethiopia: using a political economy analysis to explore stakeholder perspectives and assessing capacity needs.

The potential of the hospital-based Health Technology Assessment: Results of a world-wide survey.