Following a consultation on the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) Reform draft documents in February 2016, the Department of Health has issued an update noting a new MSAC application form and guidelines as part of the reform process arrangements.
The transition into new MSAC process arrangements will commence by 10 June 2016 and planned changes include:
- Use of the Process Framework;
- Development of a PICO (population, indication, comparator and outcome) confirmation;
- A new MSAC website, which will include new content such as factsheets and the new guidelines; and,
- New internal processes.
Because the application form plays an important role in gathering information to help inform Health Technology Assessments (HTA) to be considered by MSAC, the Department saw benefit in releasing the new application form and associated guidelines, developed as part of the reform process, early and these are now available for use.
The Department is now accepting new applications to the MSAC process for public funding of medical services using a new application form. The new application form and guidelines will be available upon request from the HTA Team (hta@health.gov.au). Applicants that may be currently filling out an application on the previous form are encouraged to contact the HTA team by 21 April 2016 to discuss options.
More detailed information regarding the MSAC Reforms and transition to the new process will be communicated in the lead up to June.
Questions regarding the new MSAC application form and guidelines or the transitionary arrangements can be directed to MSAC or the Health Technology Assessment Access Point via:
Subscribe: www.msac.gov.au/subscribe
MSAC website: www.msac.gov.au
HTA website: http://www.health.gov.au/hta
Email: hta@health.gov.au
MSAC Reform inbox: msac.reform@health.gov.au
AusBiotech commented on the draft MSAC Reform consultation documentation in February 2016 and the proposed streamlining of MSAC HTA processes.
- AusBiotech welcomed the focus of the Reform on the entire HTA process and strongly urged the Reform Team to consider increasing the focus on expanding and refining the HTA guidelines. Efforts to expand and improve the HTA guidelines will minimise the administrative burden on the Secretariat, improve consistency of HTA process and help provide certainty for applicants.
- AusBiotech cautioned the Reform Team against changes that may lead to additional administrative burden for the secretariat; in particular, changes that require skilled assessment that can only be undertaken by a highly-skilled assessor.
- AusBiotech urged the Reform Team to consider boosting initiatives that draw upon skilled resources within industry both in the development of protocols (supported by expanded HTA guidelines) and in the inclusion of applicants at meetings.
- AusBiotech emphasised that certainty and transparency is critical for business planning and clear and transparent timelines are a key aspect of forward-planning for applicants.
The full AusMedtech submission can be found at the AusBiotech website.