Pricing Analysis of Value-Added Medicines (VAMs) in Europe: A Call for Recognition of Patient-Centric Innovation
Author(s)
Srishti Gupta, PhD1, Carina Almeida, PhD2, Adrija Dutta, BPharm3, Laura Massey, MPhil, MA4, Marta Andreykiv, MSc5, Geraldine Cotton-Mazure, MD6.
1IQVIA, London, United Kingdom, 2Viatris, Zug, Switzerland, 3IQVIA, Bangalore, India, 4IQVIA, Bottisham, United Kingdom, 5Viatris, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 6Viatris, Lyon, France.
1IQVIA, London, United Kingdom, 2Viatris, Zug, Switzerland, 3IQVIA, Bangalore, India, 4IQVIA, Bottisham, United Kingdom, 5Viatris, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 6Viatris, Lyon, France.
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the pricing and reimbursement (P&R) landscape for value-added medicines (VAMs) across key European markets and to identify actionable insights for improving payer engagement, pricing predictability, and patient access to VAMs that offer enhanced outcomes or convenience to patients.
METHODS: IQVIA and Viatris conducted a landscape review of 10 VAM analogues, focusing on reformulations and fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), across EU4, UK and Sweden. HTA outcomes, pricing trends, and value drivers were identified for the ten VAM analogues.
RESULTS: Reformulated VAMs demonstrated greater potential for price premiums (up to +1000%) compared to FDCs, which often faced discounts versus loose combinations. Key value drivers included:
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the potential of VAMs to improve patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency, they face significant P&R challenges due to fragmented assessment frameworks and limited recognition of patient-centric innovation. There is an urgent need for payers to establish clear, transparent guidelines for evaluating/price negotiation of VAMs, including criteria for pricing premiums and evidence expectations. Additionally, manufacturers should be encouraged to develop VAMs that address unmet needs through patient-centric value claims that translate into a payer relevant benefit. We urge European payers and HTA bodies to collaborate with industry stakeholders to define consistent, VAM-specific assessment frameworks that reward meaningful innovation and facilitate access to therapies that enhance patient care.
METHODS: IQVIA and Viatris conducted a landscape review of 10 VAM analogues, focusing on reformulations and fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), across EU4, UK and Sweden. HTA outcomes, pricing trends, and value drivers were identified for the ten VAM analogues.
RESULTS: Reformulated VAMs demonstrated greater potential for price premiums (up to +1000%) compared to FDCs, which often faced discounts versus loose combinations. Key value drivers included:
- Narrower target populations
- Clinical or safety benefits
- Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and quality-of-life (QoL) improvements
- Cost-offsets (e.g., reduced adverse events, improved storage)
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the potential of VAMs to improve patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency, they face significant P&R challenges due to fragmented assessment frameworks and limited recognition of patient-centric innovation. There is an urgent need for payers to establish clear, transparent guidelines for evaluating/price negotiation of VAMs, including criteria for pricing premiums and evidence expectations. Additionally, manufacturers should be encouraged to develop VAMs that address unmet needs through patient-centric value claims that translate into a payer relevant benefit. We urge European payers and HTA bodies to collaborate with industry stakeholders to define consistent, VAM-specific assessment frameworks that reward meaningful innovation and facilitate access to therapies that enhance patient care.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HTA274
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Health Technology Assessment, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Systems & Structure
Disease
Generics, No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas