HTA Definitions and Acronyms

A key challenge for those navigating HTA can be understanding the array of acronyms used by assessors and experts. Here, we have compiled a list of commonly used acronyms and organisations to help you navigate the world of HTA.

AMCP (Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy):

A professional organisation in the US focused on the management and use of medications in managed care settings. The AMCP is not an HTA organisation, however they have developed a template to help pharmaceutical companies standardise the way that they present evidence for US-based healthcare decision-makers. The AMCP dossier is widely accepted by different US stakeholders and decision-makers as the best practice format for this information. The template has a lot in common with HTA dossiers.

AWMSG (All Wales Medicines Strategy Group):

A group that provides advice on the use of medicines within NHS Wales, similar to NICE.

CADTH (Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health)/CDA-AMC (Canada’s Drug Agency):

CDA-AMC, formerly known as CADTH, is a Canadian organisation that provides evidence-based information and advice on the use of drugs and health technologies to support healthcare decision-making.

Delphi Method:

A structured communication technique often used in HTA, which relies on a panel of experts answering questionnaires in multiple rounds to achieve consensus.

EAG (Evidence Assessment Group):

Independent academic groups that evaluate clinical and cost-effectiveness evidence for NICE.

EAMS (Early Access to Medicines Scheme):

A UK programme that provides patients with access to unlicensed medicines that show promise in treating serious conditions when there is clear unmet medical need.

HE (Health Economics):

A field of study focused on how healthcare resources are allocated, including cost-effectiveness analysis.

HTA (Health Technology Assessment):

A process to evaluate the medical, social, economic, and ethical implications of a health intervention.

IDEA (Investigate, Discuss, Estimate, and Aggregate) Protocol:

A structured approach often used in HTA for eliciting expert opinions and reaching consensus.

ILAP (Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway):

A UK initiative to accelerate the time it takes for new medicines to reach patients by providing earlier access.

ITC (Indirect Treatment Comparison):

A statistical method used to compare treatments indirectly when head-to-head clinical trials are not available.

JCA (Joint Clinical Assessment):

An assessment process conducted by multiple health authorities within the EU to harmonise HTA evaluations.

NCPE (National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics):

The Irish organisation responsible for evaluating the cost effectiveness of medicines for the Health Service Executive (HSE).

NGT (Nominal Group Technique):

A group decision-making method used in HTA to generate and prioritise ideas or solutions.

NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence):

The UK organisation that provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.

NICE DAP (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Diagnostics Assessment Programme):

A structured process utilised by NICE to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of diagnostic technologies, including medical tests and procedures.

NICE MTEP (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme):

A systematic process used by NICE to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of innovative medical technologies, including devices and digital health interventions.

NICE STA (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Single Technology Appraisal):

A streamlined process used by NICE to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of a single technology, usually a drug.

Orbis Type A:

A collaborative, accelerated regulatory pathway involving multiple international health authorities, designed to review and approve innovative cancer treatments more rapidly for global use.

PBAC (Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee):

An Australian committee that makes recommendations to the government on medicines subsidisation.

PIE (Pre-approval Information Exchange):

Information that can be shared with healthcare decision-makers, such as payers, in advance of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new product or a new indication for a currently approved product.

PIM (Promising Innovative Medicine):

A designation in the UK for medicines that are likely to be used in the EAMS based on early clinical data.

RWE (Real-World Evidence):

Data collected from real-world settings, outside of clinical trials, which can be used to inform HTA decisions.

SHELF (Sheffield Elicitation Framework) Method:

A structured method for expert elicitation, often used in HTA to gather informed judgements where data are minimal of absent.

SLR (Systematic Literature Review):

A methodical approach to reviewing all relevant literature on a particular topic, often used in HTA.

SMC (Scottish Medicines Consortium):

An organisation that assesses the clinical and cost effectiveness of medicines for use in NHS Scotland.