Handbook

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) focusses on the cost-benefit analysis of therapeutic interventions and the role of evidence-based medicine in determining the benefits of these interventions in health management. This course introduces students to the requirements for cost effectiveness for therapeutics and the role of evidence-based medicine in the decision-making process for these products. It covers pricing considerations for ensuring successful applications to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for entry of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for Medicare rebates for medical services in Australia.  Students will also discuss the different economic methodologies used to determine the cost-benefit analysis of a medicine and when these different methodologies should be used. Students will learn about international HTA systems and engage in debate around the ethics and value determination of therapeutic products to society.