Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: ‘External Reference Pricing’ (ERP) is widely used as a benchmark for price negotiations and price setting of medicinal products (MPs). ERP baskets differ between the countries: some reference prices from only a few other countries (e.g. countries with similar GDP per capita), whereas others reference prices from multiple countries. This study aimed to understand how ERP basket composition affects reference price availability at the time of the first reimbursement of MPs, and at the time of price revision.
METHODS: We explored Poland’s reimbursement list (MPs selection), EMA database (indications and registration dates), and EURIPID database (pricing, launch dates, revision dates). Recently reimbursed MPs with only one indication, without generic or therapeutic competition, and pricing available in at least 15 European countries were included. 20 MPs (INN, strength, dosage form) with 11 active substances were selected for the analysis: abrocitinib, acalabrutinib, asciminib, avatrombopag, bimekizumab, larotrectinib, pegcetacoplan, siponimod, trastuzumab deruxtecan, tucatinib, zanubrutinib. We analysed time to launch, prices reduction over time, and availability of ERP information at the time of price revision.
RESULTS: For Poland, time to launch ranged from 450 to 1,186 days, and price ranged from 27% to 100% of the maximum price of index MP price at the time of the first reimbursement in any country. In countries with small ERP baskets (10 or less countries, including Poland) ERP information was available only from 2.2 countries on average, and increased to 3.7 countries at the time of the first price revision.
CONCLUSIONS: Shorter time to launch was associated with higher prices of reimbursed MPs and lower availability of ERP information. The EURIPID database served as a useful source of information and a tool for pricing analysis.