OBJECTIVE To provide referen ce for improving the application of health technology assessment （HTA） in decision-making for health insurance drugs in China. METHODS The application of HTA in decision-making for health insurance drugs in Britain ，France，Germany and Sweden were sorted out and analyzed from two aspects ：the establishment of HTA institutions and the process of HTA. The suggestions for improvement were put forward ，combined with the implementation of HTA in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Britain，France，Germany and Sweden have set up special HTA institutions ，which perform their respective duties and cooperate closely. During the implementation of HTA ，the above four countries have set different value assessment criteria to screen drugs with “high cost performance ”，all stakeholders actively participate ，make the evaluation results and decisions public ，set up objection handling links ，open a rapid evaluation channel to improve the accessibility of drugs ，and re-evaluate the drugs included in the reimbursement list to ensure the sustainability of medical insurance. It is suggested that China should combine the national conditions ，strengthen the cooperation of HTA institutions ，focus on talent training and comprehensive value assessment criteria ， promote stakeholder ’s participation ， improve the transparency of decision-making，and improve the implementation procedures of HTA in China.