Health technology assessment of medical devices

Overview: WHO has developed a reference document to provide an introduction to the concept and programme of health technology assessment (HTA) around the world and to highlight the contribution that HTA can make to informed policy and decision-making, particularly in developing and emerging countries. It further aims to describe strategic actions that countries can take for introducing HTA into their health systems.

Health technology assessment (HTA) has emerged as an important tool for supporting the core functions of an effective global health system. Actions by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health organizations are necessary to support regional and national initiatives for the advancement of HTA in developing and emerging countries (i.e. nations in the process of rapid growth and industrialization). This document describes an approach for how the multiple players in the global community can come together to advance the knowledge and effective uptake of health technology assessment in local settings.