ISSUE: High levels of transparency in HTA processes ensure that all stakeholders have similar levels of information on decision-making and that decisions can be objectively scrutinised against set criteria and processes. Low levels of transparency, on the other hand, may reduce the openness of the decision-making process, and reduce the representation of the patient voice. However, limiting transparency could also protect sensitive information, encourage price discounts without affecting price referencing, and prevent companies from ‘aiming’ for thresholds to achieve market access. The panel will discuss the trade-offs between different levels of transparency and whether transparency is ultimately a help or hindrance, particularly in emerging HTA systems. Wrik Ghosh will moderate and provide an overview of the current situation. Thomas Butt will provide a societal perspective, highlighting the need for transparency to ensure patients’ needs and the public’s wishes are reflected. Fiona Pearce will present the HTA agency perspective, providing contrasting examples of how reduced or increased transparency can influence drug evaluations and decision-making. Yukti Bhargava will present a pharmaceutical perspective on how limited transparency can help protect sensitive information but may also reduce clarity around decision-making. Discussion time will be included and audience participation encouraged throughout, with interactive voting used to gain audience input. OVERVIEW: HTA is often introduced as a way of improving the transparency of decisions around healthcare. The transparency of the HTA process itself will have implications for this. There are many aspects to transparency, including whether requirements are published, whether submissions are freely available, and whether the process of appraisal and the considerations made during this process are known. Different levels of transparency exist between HTA bodies, especially emerging HTA bodies with more limited resources. Although transparency is encouraged, some aspects of low transparency levels in HTA may have the potential to be beneficial for patient access.