Session (CTI)

Issue Emissions from healthcare systems contribute heavily to climate change, which in turn has the potential to undo decades of progress in health. In recognition of this vicious cycle, many healthcare systems have entered the race to net zero, with HTA agencies around the world debating their role in supporting these efforts. These considerations are relevant in the context of our increasing understanding of ‘whole health’, as ISPOR leads dialogue around the definition of health, and how this may influence the inputs, outcomes and methods of conducting HTA. Deliberations on how to evaluate environmental impacts of pharmaceuticals are made against a rapidly changing policy landscape, with introductions such as mandatory Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) impacting launch of new medicines from 2024, and the EU procurement directive which sets the foundation for integrating sustainability in public procurement decisions. Challenges are also inherent within any potential HTA process. There remains a lack of harmonised methods for collection and analysis of environmental impact data within HTA, as well as a lack of consensus on how this data can or should practically be used within reimbursement decision making. Several questions must be explored: What role can HTA play in supporting efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of health systems? How will it interact with other incentives, such as regulation and policy? Can data collection and analysis be standardised? If so, how? Are there cases in which environmental impact should be explicitly deprioritised? Overview Following an introduction to the issues by the moderator (4 mins), the panel will debate the questions above. Panellists will each speak for 12 minutes, providing their perspectives on how use of environmental impact data will aid the pursuit to net zero, and debating cases in which it will/will not be important for decision makers. 20 minutes will be reserved for audience discussion.