Does consumer engagement in health technology assessment enhance or undermine equity?

Abstract

Consumer engagement in decisions about the funding of medicines is often framed as a good in and of itself, and as an activity that should be universally encouraged. A common justification for calls for consumer engagement is that it enhances equity. In this paper we systematically critique this assumption. We show that consumer engagement may undermine equity as well as enhance it, and show that a simple relationship cannot be assumed but must be justified and demonstrated. In concluding we present a number of challenges that need to be overcome in order for consumer engagement to contribute to health technology assessment in a morally and politically sound manner.