The new definition of health technology assessment: A milestone in international collaboration.

Background: An international joint task group co-led by the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) and Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) has developed a new and internationally accepted definition of HTA.

Methods: The task group, consisting of representatives of leading HTA networks, societies and global organizations, developed guiding principles for the process and followed an established consultation plan with the broader HTA community to develop the definition.

Results: The consensus achieved by the international joint task group brings the collective weight of the participating networks, societies, and organizations behind the new definition.

Conclusion: The new definition of HTA is an historic achievement and it is offered to the current and emerging HTA world as a cornerstone reference for today and into the future.