Launch of Bespoke Health Technology Assessment Course
Bespoke CPD Course on Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
We are delighted to see the launch of the BOPA Health Technology Assessment (HTA) course, which represents an important step forward in supporting the cancer pharmacy workforce to engage confidently with medicines evaluation and decision-making processes.
As cancer treatments become increasingly complex and innovative, it is essential that cancer pharmacy professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to critically appraise evidence, understand HTA frameworks, and contribute meaningfully to national and local decision-making. This course has been designed to build that capability and empower pharmacy staff to play a stronger role in shaping the future of cancer care.
We are extremely grateful to the HTA team at the University of York and Steve Williamson (NICE), who have worked hard to develop this programme. Their efforts will help ensure that pharmacy professionals across the UK are better supported to navigate HTA processes and advocate for safe, effective, and equitable access to cancer medicines for patients.
We look forward to seeing the impact this course will have in strengthening the expertise and leadership of our profession.
Shereen Nabhani-Gebara, BOPA chair; Joe Williams, BOPA past-chair / vice chair; Michal Sladkowski, BOPA vice chair elect
The Technology Assessment Group at the University of York are delighted to share their insights into how HTA is operationalised in the UK. We believe that it is important that all healthcare professionals involved in cancer care in the NHS are familiar with the reimbursement process. We see BOPA as pioneers in this regard and we hope that BOPA members will embrace and enjoy this CPD course on HTA.
Sofia Dias, Professor of Evidence Synthesis and HTA at the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York and Director of the York Technology Assessment Group
Course Delivery
Steve Williamson, Associate Director for Managed Access at NICE, and a former Chair of BOPA is your host over eight modules on HTA that would be applicable to cancer care. Each module will be 20 to 30 minutes in length and consists of mixed learning format – video animations, text with graphics and interviews/audio clips with relevant topic experts.
Accreditation of the course is via achieving a 80% (16/20) mark in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) endorsed by Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi).
| Module | Title | Details |
| 1 | Overview of HTA Process | What is the purpose of HTA? Importance of HTA to pharmacy. Fundamental principles of HTA (clinical evidence and economic evaluation). |
| 2 | Clinical Evidence for Decision-Making | Types of Clinical Evidence. Evaluating Clinical Evidence incl. meta-analyses (MA). Indirect treatment comparisons (NMA, MAIC, STC and ML-NMR). |
| 3 | Economic Evaluation | What is an economic evaluation? Types of economic evaluation used by HTA agencies and examples in cancer care. Cost-Effectiveness Threshold. |
| 4 | The NICE HTA process | The HTA Process in England. Types of NICE technology appraisals. NICE Reference Case; NICE committee recommendations. Stakeholder perspectives. |
| 5 | External Assessment Group (EAG) Exemplar | What is an External Assessment Group (EAG)? The NICE STA Timeline. Key issues in an EAG report. |
| 6 | HealthTech Assessment | Cancer diagnostics and HealthTech. NICE HealthTech Programme for non-pharmaceuticals including the HealthTech Manual. Stakeholders’ perspectives. |
| 7 | HTA Process in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland | What happens in Scotland/Wales/NI? Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG). Compared to NICE HTA Process. |
| 8 | Market Access | Post NICE Recommendations – Commercial arrangements; Managed access – the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF). |
Click here to access the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Course
Access the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Course now
