Kerman University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Health Policy and Management 2322-5939 10 4 2021 04 01 Deliberative Processes by Health Technology Assessment Agencies: A Reflection on Legitimacy, Values and Patient and Public Involvement; Comment on “Use of Evidence-informed Deliberative Processes by Health Technology Assessment Agencies Around the Globe” 228 231 3785 10.34172/ijhpm.2020.46 EN Mireille Goetghebeur Department of Management, Evaluation and Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada Marjo Cellier Research Center, University Hospital Center Ste Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada Journal Article 2019 12 21 <span class="fontstyle0">Legitimacy of deliberation processes leading to recommendations for public financing or clinical practice depends on the data considered, stakeholders involved and the process by which both of these are selected and organised. Oortwijn et al provides an interesting exploration of processes currently in place in health technology assessment (HTA) agencies. However, agencies are struggling with core issues central to their legitimacy that goes beyond the procedural exploration of Oortwijn et al, such as: how processes reflect the mission and values of the agencies? How they ensure that recommendations are fair and reasonable? Which role should be given to public and patient involvement? Do agencies have a positive impact on the healthcare system and the populations served? What are the drivers of their evolution? We concur with Culyer commentary on the need of learning from doing what works best and that a reflection is indeed needed to “enhance the fairness and legitimacy of HTA.”</span> https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3785_12a72db07f3865bbbb82f2f732229cfe.pdf