Implications of health technology assessment practice in eight countries for Healthy China Initiative

Health technology assessment (HTA) is an applied discipline that provides research evidences to improve health and decision-making. With the emergence of new technologies and the growing health-care demand in disease prevention and control, the need for HTA becomes crucial in the implementation of Healthy China Initiative. The study presented a brief introduction on application of HTA and its main characteristics in eight countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Thailand, and South Korea. The implications of HTA practices in the eight countries for Healthy China Initiative and the significance of HTA application in China were also discussed.