HTA IN CENTRAL-EASTERN-SOUTHERN EUROPE: FINDING ITS WAY TO HEALTH POLICY.

The number of publications on health technology assessment (HTA) from Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe (CESE countries) is still low compared with the north and west of Europe. It is not surprising, as the idea of HTA originated from high-income Western economies and was afterward adopted by the south-eastern part of Europe, which mostly consists of middle-income countries. These CESE countries, with less capacity and experience with HTA processes, must deal with even tougher decisions on financing health technologies than north-western Europe. There may even be a lack of confidence to open discussions on their specific needs for HTA.