Strengthening of the EU cooperation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) LEAD DG – RESPONSIBLE UNIT

In the EU total (public and private) health care expenditure amounts to around EUR 1 300 billion per annum 1 (including EUR 220 billion for pharmaceuticals 2 and EUR 100 billion for medical devices 3 ). Health care expenditure thus accounts on average for about 10% of the EU GDP. 4 The expenditure is likely to increase in the coming years, considering inter alia Europe’s ageing population, the increase of chronic diseases, and complex new technologies. 5 6 At the same time, Member States are increasingly confronted with budgetary constraints. These developments will require Member States to further improve the efficiency of health budgets – focusing on effective technologies whilst maintaining a stimulus for innovation. 7