Value, Affordability, and Decision Making
Efficient allocation of healthcare budgets requires a clear understanding of whether interventions deliver good value for money. Resource-allocation decisions should therefore follow structured, transparent, and evidence-based processes that consider value, equity, and affordability.
OHE advances innovative methodologies and drives international, policy-focused research to address these core dimensions . We provide evidence in support of robust, systematic, and comprehensive value assessments within healthcare systems, including Health Technology Assessment (HTA), and across other sectors.
Overall purpose of this research theme
To support systematic, fair, and evidence-based decision-making processes for resource allocation in healthcare.
Policy objectives
- Advance the development of novel value frameworks.
- Inform HTA methods and processes.
- Guide the purpose and role of HTA.
- Strengthen knowledge transfer and guidance for decision-makers.
Around the World in HTAs
Around the World in HTAs: Zimbabwe – Seizing a window of opportunity
Zimbabwe has an opportunity to embed health technology assessment (HTA) into its health system as it works towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Currently, the country provides access to just 55% of the benchmarked essential health services.
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Around the World in HTAs: Spain – Closer than ever, but not quite yet
Spain has introduced its first national legal framework for health technology assessment (HTA) through Royal Decree 415/2026. It is a significant step forward, but the system is still being built.
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Around the world in HTAs: Abu Dhabi – Advancing HTA and value-based healthcare in the UAE
Abu Dhabi is taking important steps to strengthen the use of HTA in healthcare decision-making, with the publication of its HTA guidelines in 2025 marking an important milestone.
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Around the World in HTAs: Japan – An algorithmic approach to containing costs
Japan’s health technology assessment (HTA) system uses algorithmic drug pricing and cost-effectiveness analysis to manage rising healthcare costs while maintaining universal access and innovation.
Read moreOur latest content on this theme
The economic burden of overweight and obesity in Europe
Effective obesity strategies require action across government and society, and a broader approach to evaluating their costs and benefits.
Around the World in HTAs: Zimbabwe – Seizing a window of opportunity
Zimbabwe has an opportunity to embed health technology assessment (HTA) into its health system as it works towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Currently, the country provides access to just 55% of the benchmarked essential health services.
Compared to what? How the choice of comparator affects new medicines
Comparator choice shapes health technology assessment: it sets the benchmark a new medicine is assessed against, driving both patient access and where firms invest in R&D. We consider five theoretical comparator examples and, for each, assess the implications of comparator selection on access, launch decisions and innovation incentives for new medicines.
What the first EU JCA reveals about assessing precision oncology
We explore how the first JCA provides insights into the longstanding methodological challenge of evidence generation and comparative assessment for precision medicine.