The papers on the 16 European countries presented in this issue show their
great diversity of health systems. Health technology assessment (HTA) has b
een institutionalized in a number of members of the European Union and has
a growing impact on health policy. A remaining challenge is to see HTA visi
ble and useful at the European level, which requires more active coordinati
on of national and regional activities. A network of HTA programs and resea
rchers has been established. The HTA-Europe Steering Committee has suggeste
d a number of actions by the European Commission to promote further coordin
ation. The most important conclusion of the HTA-Europe report is that a per
manent coordinating structure is needed at the European level.