Value a Multi-Faceted Element of Curative Therapeutics, Important Consideration for HTAs

A report published in the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research explores the possible benefits of curative therapies. The authors compare the benefits of curative treatments compared to noncurative treatments, noting that the term ‘value’ is much more complex than typically regarded. They note this complexity is important when it comes to HTA (health technology assessment) organizations.

According to the authors, “We suggest that three new elements of value seem distinctive to cures: liberation from the identity of being diseased, liberation from the stigma associated with the disease and liberation from the burden of ongoing therapy. However, including additional elements of value in health technology assessment may result in double counting and requires consideration of potential opportunity costs. We suggest health technology assessment should explore the relevance of these three elements of value and may have good reasons to – judiciously – integrate them through the deliberative process.” Read more here.

(Source: Saskia Hendriks & Steven Pearson, Future Medicine, 3/5/21)