Implementing the EU HTA regulation and joint clinical assessment: a multi-stakeholder perspective from Italy

The Regulation (EU) 2021/2282 on Health Technology Assessment (HTAR), which applies as of January 2025, introduces the Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) for selected health technologies and establishes a stakeholder network. This study aims to evaluate the expected impact of the implementation of the HTAR from a multi-stakeholder perspective, using Italy as a case study.

A scoping literature review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines to inform the development of an interview guide. Target participants included Italian stakeholder representatives with an interest in the HTAR. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually at the end of 2024. The questions were categorized into three main topics: expected benefits and opportunities; foreseen risks or challenges; recommended actions. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis techniques.

Thirteen participants included representatives from national and regional HTA bodies, health technology developers' associations, health professional associations, patient organizations, and HTA experts. The JCA is expected to enhance the quality of clinical assessment and to result in faster and more equitable access to health innovations. However, the timing will depend on the extent to which Member States require complementary analyses. Health technology developers benefit from submitting a single JCA dossier, but often cope with limited evidence and short-term deadlines. The interviewees recommended harmonizing evidence standards, investing in HTA education and training, and fostering strategic stakeholder collaborations.

The process of harmonization induced by the HTAR is beneficial to standardize clinical assessment at the EU level, but needs to reconcile different stakeholder perspectives.