US-Centric Drug Policies: How National Interests Are Reshaping Global Innovation and Access

Purpose Medicines have no national borders and can benefit citizens worldwide. However, in the global endeavor to fight diseases, the US has long cross-subsidized other countries in pharmaceutical R&D efforts. In response to domestic pressure to “make others pay”, the US administration has proposed a series of “America-First” policies to get other countries to pay their “fair” share. Currently, patients outside of the US, even in advanced OECD countries, suffer from significant delay and lack of access to innovative medicines. The European Commission has introduced new Health Technology Assessment Regulations (effective from Jan 2025) as part of a broader proposal to narrow the access gap. The broader proposal also included important considerations on financing. Creative cross-country solutions to finance global innovations are needed to better sustain long-term innovations and improve patient welfare. This panel convenes a multistakeholder panel to discuss the impacts of America-First policies on global access to innovative medicines and incentives to innovate, and outline promising global differential pricing mechanisms to better balance access and innovation. Description: Meng Li will first discuss the existing cross-country disparities in access to innovative medicines, and review the spectrum of “America-First” policies proposed by the Trump administration. Gunnar Esiason, a patient advocate with cystic fibrosis, will ground the discussion in patient reality, highlighting how delayed or foregone access will impact patients worldwide. Richard Xie will use the net present value modeling to show how the proposed policies will alter launch strategies for innovators, resulting in more unequal access and less overall innovation. Mikkel Oestergaard will synthesize the discussion, and propose creative solutions based on the ongoing work at the Global Access to Medical Innovation ISPOR SIG. The panel will conclude with Q&A with the audience. Polling questions and handouts will be used to engage the audience throughout the session.