Early Stage Health Technology Assessment: Still Unknown Helper of Medical Device Manufacturers

Our investigation is focused on mapping the situation, to what extent Czech manufacturers of medical devices are familiar with the early stage health technology assessment (eHTA). Data for the research was obtained through semi-structured interviews and was further evaluated in accordance with the principles of qualitative research. Interviews were conducted with eight manufacturers, and it was found that awareness of eHTA is low in Czechia. The manufacturers state that they make development decisions mainly based on the data they get from the experts. They look at the issue of development mainly from the point of view of the interests of their own company. In addition, the manufacturers have also identified actual problems and reasons why eHTA is not performed.