Guidelines for the Economic Evaluation of Health Technologies in Ireland (HIQA)
These guidelines set out the standards for how economic evaluations of health technologies should be conducted in Ireland. They ensure that studies used for decision-making follow consistent methods for measuring costs, benefits, and comparisons.
At a glance
Use when
Conducting or reviewing economic evaluations for health technology assessment in Ireland, especially for reimbursement or funding decisions by HSE or NCPE
Avoid when
When applying non-Irish decision contexts or when a societal perspective with broad externalities is required
Inputs
Health technology intervention, relevant comparator, cost data, clinical effectiveness data, health-related quality of life data, time horizon, discount rates
Outputs
Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), cost-effectiveness results aligned with Irish reference case, transparent reporting of methods and assumptions
How it works
The guidelines define a national reference case for economic evaluation in Ireland, specifying a healthcare perspective, use of appropriate comparators, discounting rates for costs and outcomes, standardized costing methods, and requirements for measuring health outcomes such as QALYs. They are used by HIQA, NCPE, the Department of Health, and HSE to ensure methodological consistency and transparency in HTA submissions.
- HTA domains
- Clinical Effectiveness, Costs & Economic Evaluation, Organisational aspects
- Assumptions
- The guidelines assume that decision-makers aim to maximize health gain within a constrained budget and that QALYs are an appropriate measure of health outcomes. They also assume availability of reliable cost and outcome data.
- Strengths
- Provides a standardized, transparent, and nationally endorsed framework for economic evaluation; supports consistent decision-making across Irish health technology assessments; aligns stakeholders including HIQA, NCPE, HSE, and Department of Health.
- Limitations
- May not fully capture broader societal costs and benefits outside the healthcare perspective; limited guidance on equity considerations; may require adaptation for highly innovative or rare disease technologies.
- Also known as
- HIQA Reference Case, HIQA Health Technology Assessment Guidelines, Guidelines for Economic Evaluation in Ireland
Questions this answers
- › What perspective should be used in economic evaluations for Irish HTA?
- › Which comparator should be used when assessing a new health technology?
- › How should costs and health outcomes be discounted over time?
- › What methods should be used to estimate and value costs?
- › How should quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) be calculated?
- › What standards apply to model-based economic evaluations in Ireland?
References & sources
- websitehiqa.ie ↗
Similar by meaning
- Guidelines for the Economic Evaluation of Health Technologies: Canada — 4th Edition
- National Guidelines for the Budget Impact Analysis of Health Technologies in Ireland (HIQA)
- Irish HTA Guidelines (NCPE submission guidelines)
- Revised methods guide for economic evaluation studies of health technologies in Portugal
- Hungarian Methodological Guidelines for Economic Evaluation of Healthcare Interventions
Beta record. Based on the original catalogue summary; primary-source enrichment pending.