Health Technology Assessment

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Research

In the field of medicine, unique Technology Assessment (TA) activities known as HTA (Health Technology Assessment) have become conventional practice in in some countries. Such activities include evaluation of the efficacy and safety of health technology, the analysis of health economics and the examination of Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI). Of these, it is the functions of the first two especially that have been established as fundamental in the policymaking process, as they supply bases for approval and　listing in the insurance coverage　of individual technologies. Assessment methods and systems for the　evaluation of the efficacy and safety of technology have been established in various countries. Through empirical TA research in the field of medicine, we undertake research activities with the institutionalization of HTA in mind.

Collaboration with the Social Relationship group of the NanoBio FIRST project

Nanobio FIRST is one of the projects selected by the Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST program). The project aims to establish revolutionary technologies that would enable early detection and accurate diagnosis of cancer, and pinpoint treatments that can selectively deliver anticancer drugs with lower side effects. There is also a Social relationship group, with which we collaborate, that conducts activities to introduce newly-developed technologies and products to society promptly　and then assesses and reviews the effects　of technologies and products developed for medical and social systems as a whole. Through cooperation between our social deployment activities and our　TA Research Demonstration Project, we seek for points of contact with society on the research and development phase　of medical technology.

Seminars on the social and economic assessment of innovation in the field of medicine

This series of research seminars examines, through discussion among specialists from various related fields, how we should assess technological innovation in medical care　both socially and economically, and how such innovation should be implemented. The seminars are organized jointly by the TA Research Demonstration Project and the Risk Management of Medical Accident seminars of the Graduate School of Public Policy, the University of Tokyo.　Throughout the series, a seminar is held once a month with a guest speaker presentation and discussion on how we can promote innovation in the health system as a whole, including　the medical insurance system. The TA Research Demonstration Project of the Policy Alternatives Research Institute　contributes to these seminars from the point of view of the　practice of technology assessment in the field of medicine.

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