11.22.2015

Patient Access positions with Baxalta

Dear Readers,

I am currently building my access team in EMEA and have a few positions open. I am looking for a patient access lead oncology Switzerland/Austria. See job posting: https://lnkd.in/d3MyQgQ 

Equally I am looking for patient access heads for Italy and the UK. Oncology experience plus experience with local P&R submissions and negotiations is required.

If you are interested please get in touch: ulf.staginnus@baxalta.com

Cheers
Ulf

7.23.2015

England NHS cancer drug fund to be handed over to NICE?

Dear All,

Some interesting developments on the Cancer Drug Fund have been announced today.

Cheers
Ulf

6.18.2015

Market Access in Germany and AMNOG reform needs

Dear All,

hope you are getting ready for the summer.. just came across an interesting post on the GKV Spitzenverband website. A latest study from the Technical University of Berlin demonstrates the fastest (even after AMNOG) and broadest access to medicines occurs in Germany as compared to other EU countries (well, it´s nothing really new). This comes at a "cost" with highest pharmaceutical prices being paid in Germany (we also knew that). The study has a lot of good sources such as the times to access after EMA approval (many of you in the industry get this question all the time from management), approaches to pricing in the different EU countries as well as the reference baskets etc...

The interesting part comes further down in the GKV press release. Prof Busse (check out his slides) suggests that pricing is related to the benefit provided in each subgroup. Something economists welcome as it it would allow for differential and indication specific pricing better linking value achieved to pricing potential. The pessimists would obviously say that it further increases pressure but in my view that would be the right direction and for really innovative and beak through therapies provides opportunity.

Reform needs are seen with AMNOG, measures such as retrospective rebates are suggested in the presentation from v. Stackelberg (GKV SV) from month 7 onwards of the benefit assessment process. He makes a fair statement in saying with "retrospective price setting premium pricing is still possible for top products, but no excessive pricing for drugs without additional benefit".

Let's see what is cooking out in Germany. Happy Summer Holidays ;)
Cheers
Ulf


3.21.2015

The value discussion

Dear All,

first of all apologies for the quite time lately, been busy with various projects. Seeing the article from Ed it reminded me of the ever ongoing discussion about the value topic and if agreement can be found between payers and industry. Certain attempts, thinking here of VBP in the UK have failed and others have not taken off. Ed does a good job in listing the issues and especially pointing out the ways the industry could change things internally. This is definitely true and also a very old story. I have a bit of my own theory why things are so slow to catch on internally. Everyone is talking the market access talk and adds resources and re-invents departments etc. What I see happening though is that the wrong people with the wrong skill set are often doing this. Just because it seems to be hip to talk about payers and access and engagement doesn't necessarily mean the skills are there. Too many of certain "talkers" who are used to making colorful slides are digging around the access area, which however doesn't make them an expert just as yet. Health economics and especially pricing and skills around data creation and epidemiology are typically missing. Also lack of experience with the various health care and reimbursement systems and how things are working often leads to the wrong expectations. I couldn't agree more with Ed's comments that functional organizations, usually the experts from health economics/pricing and access, get the issues quickly but often have limited influence to the top and on R&D decision making as there still too often the old fashioned "slide makers" and "talkers" are sitting. The 'species' of real good access people often doesn't bother to engage on this "less scientific" level of discussions hence nothing ever changes. The only way to change that would be if jobs are re-defined and key roles are being filled with people who have exactly that payer perspective and experience - and they don't need to have been in sales to do a fine job there. That is a relict from a time that doesn't exist and wont come back anymore.

Cheers
Ulf