Health technology assessment in nuclear medicine: Challenges and opportunities in Europe

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is an essential multidisciplinary process for evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, influencing approval, pricing, and accessibility of medical technologies. The implementation of the European Union HTA Regulation (EU HTAR), in place since January 2025, marks a pivotal shift towards a more harmonized and collaborative approach to HTA across EU Members States at the European level. Nuclear medicine, particularly with the rapid evolution of targeted radionuclide therapy and theranostic approaches, must strategically position itself within this new framework. In this editorial we outline a strategic framework proposal for strengthening HTA integration in the field. By aligning healthcare innovation with regulatory standards for safety, efficacy, and reimbursement, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) aims to support equitable patient access, inform national reimbursement decisions, and promote sustainable adoption of nuclear medicine technologies across Europe.