Introduction
What is your organisation?
Represented Organisation 1
(Required)
Musculoskeletal Australia
Elements and features that are working effectively
Are there any elements and features of HTA policy and methods in Australia that are working effectively?
Are you able to provide detail of any elements and features of HTA policy and methods that are working effectively? Please use specific details where possible.
The fact that increased effort is being made to promote and garner consumer/patient perspectives in the process of health technology assessment (HTA) in recent years is very pleasing. Musculoskeletal Australia (MSK) often provides submissions to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee's (PBAC) deliberations regarding various 'musculoskeletal relevant' medicines and on several occasions, MSK has been approached to provide consumer-focused submissions regarding the assessment of relevant medical devices.
The fact that there is a Consumer Evidence and Engagement Unit (CEEU) within the Office of HTA within the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care is vital in facilitating consumer engagement and input. Whether the CEEU is sufficiently well resourced to gain the maximum benefit of their work and efforts might be an aspect for consideration by the HTA Review Reference Committee. It is great that the work of the CEEU is complemented by such external groups as the Patient Voice Initiative, however, Government-provided support for consumer engagement should not be diminished because of external groups' activities.
One small feature that MSK noted when working on submissions to PBAC recently was that some sponsors had a summary document of their submissions. At the time, we were informed that the value of these summary documents were being trialled. If this was the case, MSK would be in favour of these summary documents being routinely used.
The fact that there is a Consumer Evidence and Engagement Unit (CEEU) within the Office of HTA within the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care is vital in facilitating consumer engagement and input. Whether the CEEU is sufficiently well resourced to gain the maximum benefit of their work and efforts might be an aspect for consideration by the HTA Review Reference Committee. It is great that the work of the CEEU is complemented by such external groups as the Patient Voice Initiative, however, Government-provided support for consumer engagement should not be diminished because of external groups' activities.
One small feature that MSK noted when working on submissions to PBAC recently was that some sponsors had a summary document of their submissions. At the time, we were informed that the value of these summary documents were being trialled. If this was the case, MSK would be in favour of these summary documents being routinely used.
Current or future barriers to earliest possible access
Elements and features of HTA policy and methods in Australia acting as a current or future barrier to earliest possible access.
details of any elements and/or features acting as a current barrier to earliest possible access
MSK oftens hears from people with inflammatory, autoimmune conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) regarding their frustration of being prescribed and having to try disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (e.g. hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate) for the management of their conditions, before they may qualify for/progress to biological DMARDs. While MSK understands that this is an issue of cost, many consumers feel that their condition worsens during the period of 'trialling' medications.
As one parent of a child with juvenile arthritis stated in MSK's submission to the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Cre and Sport Parliamentary Inquiry into Childhood Rheumatic Disease in February 2022, 'Earlier access to biological medications for those with severe disease would be ideal. Children start on methotrexate or a traditional disease modifying anti rheumatic drug (DMARD) before they can be shown to have ‘failed’ that drug and then qualify to start on a biological DMARD. This is because the cost of biologics is so expensive, and the government covers these costs. It would be great if there was a way of testing or assessing which kids are going to need to go onto a biologic so this could happen more quickly.'
As one parent of a child with juvenile arthritis stated in MSK's submission to the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Cre and Sport Parliamentary Inquiry into Childhood Rheumatic Disease in February 2022, 'Earlier access to biological medications for those with severe disease would be ideal. Children start on methotrexate or a traditional disease modifying anti rheumatic drug (DMARD) before they can be shown to have ‘failed’ that drug and then qualify to start on a biological DMARD. This is because the cost of biologics is so expensive, and the government covers these costs. It would be great if there was a way of testing or assessing which kids are going to need to go onto a biologic so this could happen more quickly.'
Current or future barriers to equitable access
Elements and features of HTA policy and methods in Australia that are acting as a current or future barrier to equitable access.
elements and features of HTA policy and methods that are acting as a current or future barrier to equitable access
Understanding HTA (what is, how does it work, why is it important) can be challenging even for people working within the health sector. Therefore, the challenge for the average health consumer to understand HTA, let alone actively engage with the process of HTA is almost insurmountable!
In this way, health consumers do not have equitable knowledge about, or access to, the HTA process. Even for small consumer representative organisations, the time and commitment to fully engage with the HTA process can sometimes be constrained by available resources. The resources inequity issue is particularly stark when compared to the resources available to pharmaceutical companies.
In this way, health consumers do not have equitable knowledge about, or access to, the HTA process. Even for small consumer representative organisations, the time and commitment to fully engage with the HTA process can sometimes be constrained by available resources. The resources inequity issue is particularly stark when compared to the resources available to pharmaceutical companies.
details of feasible options / suggestions to improve elements of HTA policy and methods that are acting as a current or future barrier to equitable access?
MSK believes that consumer-friendly and apprpriate community education around HTA should be developed and that consumer-focused organisations should be supported to disseminate such information and education.