Equitable access to quality-assured, safe and affordable medicines, vaccines and medical devices is fundamental to a functioning health system. Over the last few decades, innovations in life sciences have saved millions of lives yet millions more worldwide still suffer from a lack of access to medicines that they would need for acute and/or chronic diseases. Countries face a range of obstacles including rising prices for new medicines putting the financial sustainability of healthcare systems at risk, shortages and stock-outs of essential medicines and irrational use of medicines (e.g. antibiotics). This does not only affect economically weak countries but has become increasingly challenging for rich countries as well. In many countries, out-of-pocket payments for medicines continue to be the main drivers of financial hardship for patients and their families. Medicines need to be available and affordable in order to make a meaningful contribution to public health. A variety of pharmaceutical policies in pricing, procurement and reimbursement is used in different healthcare systems to ensure equitable access to medicines for all patients at affordable costs. Multifaceted challenges require comprehensive approaches but are current policies designed appropriately to achieve the desired outcomes? Are health systems prepared to address future developments while current challenges in affordable and equitable access are yet to be met? Thus, innovative policies are needed.
To foster the debate on equitable access to affordable and cost-effective medicines, the following topics will be addressed at the conference:
- Strand 1: Local challenges, global learnings?
What can we learn from experience, including good-practice examples, in the field of pharmaceutical pricing, procurement and reimbursement policies in other countries? - Strand 2: Strengthening the evidence base
How can we promote equitable access to affordable and cost-effective medicines by generating and sharing evidence? The role of managed entry agreements (MEAs), increased transparency, real-world data and health technology assessments. - Strand 3: Futureproofing pharmaceutical policies
How can innovation in policy making improve equitable access to affordable and cost-effective medicines? Fair pricing concepts, crisis preparedness, considering environmental aspects and increased patient involvement as well as coordination and collaboration are all drivers for the future.
The conference aims to bring together thought leaders from all over the world to discuss ‘burning’ issues in the pricing and reimbursement policies for medicines – both from a global and a European perspective. The discussion will identify challenges, outline limitations in current policies, explore opportunities and innovative options for the future.
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies in Vienna invites you to take part in the discussions with renowned experts and high-level representatives in the pharmaceutical field.
Objectives
We are committed to making our contribution to affordable, equitable and sustainable access to safe, effective and quality essential medicines worldwide, with a focus on Europe. Thus, we are pleased to provide a platform for thought leaders, experts and researchers in the pharmaceutical field to:
- present research findings and cutting-edge academic analyses as well as to showcase best practice examples of pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies;
- discuss current challenges and develop strategies to tackle them;
- support policy makers by offering tools so that they can be well prepared and equipped to address the future challenges, and
- allow for networking.
Who should attend the conference?
- Public authorities responsible for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines (policy makers, administration)
- Payers in the health care system (e.g. public and private social health insurance institutions, ministries, medicines agencies)
- Procurement bodies
- Researchers, academics and students
- Patients and consumers and their advocates
- Health professionals (e.g. pharmacists, physicians) and their professional associations
- Economic actors (e.g. pharmaceutical companies and their professional associations, distributors)
- Editors, journalists
For further information, please click on the links below!
- Programme
- Conference Supplement to the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
- Call for abstracts and abstract submission
- Call for workshops
- Fees and cancellation policy
- Advisory Board and Scientific Programme Committee
- Practical information
- Conference organisers
- Special edition newsletter
