This special section is the written record of the second National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) conference, which drew together experts in the fields of health technology assessment (HTA) from around the world. It includes a significant perspective from the pharmaceutical industry, whose partnership with the manufacturers of technologies (pharmaceuticals, devices, etc.) is of paramount importance to the successful future of the input of HTA into healthcare delivery. The importance of HTA as the basis of clinical decision making has never been more apparent. All clinicians are aware of the requirement that they provide the most up-to-date health care for their patients, who in turn appropriately consider this as a right. The need to ensure that this care is based on reliable evidence of clinical effectiveness is paramount. In addition, the need for all healthcare systems to consider costs as well as benefits has led to a further imposition on those who provide care to take into account value for money when considering the implementation of a new technology.