Root causes of delays to access and unavailability of innovative medicines, have been identified by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA):1
I. The time prior to marketing authorisation;
II. The price and reimbursement process;
III. The value assessment process;
IV. Healthcare system constraints and resources;
V. The sub-national approval process.
Leaning into the root causes of delays to access (healthcare system constraints and the subnational approval process), we believe the solution lies in healthcare system thinking and subnational access methodologies.
If we wish subnational healthcare systems to accelerate time to access through streamlining decision making and developing new patient pathways to accommodate new and innovative medicines, it is fundamental that healthcare system customers understand the whole-system value of new medicines. The whole-system ‘case for change’ with subnational customers’ needs to be made.
THE CASE FOR CHANGE IS MADE BY EFFECTIVE VALUE COMMUNICATION AT SYSTEM OR SUBNATIONAL LEVEL
The messages for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies and HTA payers are different to the messages that resonate for subnational access customers. The subnational customer value proposition is different. It should be noted that there is not a need for wild deviation; the strategy and value of the product remains, but the audience is different, and thus the messages and the value story or narrative is distinct.
ACCESSION HAS BEEN DEVELOPING WHOLE-SYSTEM VALUE NARRATIVES FOR OVER A DECADE. FOR US, THIS ISN’T EXPERIMENTAL, IT’S A NECESSITY AND A WELL-TRODDEN PATH OF EFFECTIVENESS. WE CAN GET YOU THERE FAST, AND WITH CERTAINTY
The key to system uptake and patient access will be articulating the outcomes and positive system benefits for the intended patient populations. This is whole-system thinking and whole-system value.
Are you able to bring together stakeholders to debate and discuss best practice? Can you help illustrate best practice pathways and innovations for new models of care that support product uptake? This takes a highly skilled field team with sophisticated tools to add value at this level. Ensure this capability is baked into your organisation.
1European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). “The root cause of unavailability and delay to innovative medicines.” Report published April 2023.
