OBJECTIVES:

The European Network for HTA (EUnetHTA) introduced the PICO survey to ensure usability of Joint Clinical Assessments (JCA) during the national appraisal process. To prepare the European landscape on the future of joint HTA work, the experiences of establishing a European PICO based on six pharmaceutical JCAs are analysed.

METHODS:

The PICO survey is published online in the early stage of the scoping phase, allowing EUnetHTA Pharma Partners to agree with or comment on the proposed patient group(s), indication, comparators and outcomes for the upcoming JCA. The PICO survey responses serve to establish a European perspective of the JCA.

RESULTS:

As of 07/2018, the PICO survey has been used for six JCAs. The first four PICO surveys were based on the PICO proposed by the manufacturer, and the last two PICO surveys considered a PICO as proposed by the authoring team of the JCA. For three PICO surveys, a single European PICO was proposed. For the other three surveys, two PICOs were proposed. Five PICO surveys have been completed, and for one JCA the survey is still ongoing. On average, 10 of the 28 countries (36%) responded to the survey. The proposed (primary) patient population was most agreed upon (85%), followed by the intervention (74%). The inclusion of outcomes was most discussed (64%), mainly to include additional outcomes. No results are available for implementation as the first JCA using the PICO survey was published 06/2019.

CONCLUSIONS:

A better understanding of the national perspectives creates the challenge of when to include national suggestions in the European PICO; how many countries need to request additional data before it is of European relevance? By introducing the PICO survey, the process towards a European PICO for JCA becomes more transparent. Therefore, the PICO survey will be used for all future JCAs.