The history of health technology assessment in Australia.

OBJECTIVES To describe the development and application of health technology assessment (HTA) in Australia. METHODS Review of relevant literature and other documents related to HTA in Australia. RESULTS Most HTA activity in Australia has been associated with provision of advice for the two national subsidy programs, Medicare, and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). National advisory bodies established by the federal government have had a prominent role. Assessments from the advisory bodies have had a major influence on decisions related to Medicare and the PBS, and in some other areas. Technologies without links to the national subsidy schemes, and those that are widely distributed, have been less well covered by HTA. To some extent these are addressed by evaluations supported by state governments, but details of approaches taken are not readily available. CONCLUSIONS HTA in Australia now has a long history and is well established as a source of advice to health decision makers. Challenges remain in extending the scope of assessments, developing more transparent approaches in some areas, and consistently applying appropriate standards.