Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Simple price discounts have been identified as not providing sufficient solutions to many patient access challenges. Innovative payment models (IPMs), successfully implemented in several European countries, have facilitated access to pharmaceutical innovations. However, their implementation faces significant barriers, which can delay and/or increase the burden of implementing agreements and, in some cases, prevent their adoption entirely. Concurrently, key enablers have facilitated the use of IPM and improved the ease of implementation. This research identified key barriers and enablers to IPM implementation in Europe, aiming to build consensus, share best practices, and support stakeholders in developing solutions.
METHODS: We used a two-phase qualitative approach. First, we surveyed expert stakeholders from nine European countries to gather insights on pricing and payment methods, implementation barriers and enablers, and potential solutions. In the second phase, we held nominal group discussions with a selected subset of survey respondents to discuss commonalities and differences, aiming to build consensus on IPM barriers and enablers. Participants shared insights to inform flexible IPM implementation.
RESULTS: The study identified key barriers, including administrative burden, misaligned stakeholder priorities, difficulties in reaching agreement, conflicts with legal and regulatory frameworks, and insufficient data infrastructure for monitoring and evaluation. Enablers included investment in expertise and infrastructure (e.g., centralized data repositories), early and transparent stakeholder dialogue, and adaptive frameworks that allow iterative refinements. Experts emphasized the need for international collaboration to share best practices and enhance stakeholder readiness for IPM implementation.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight that while IPMs have strong potential to improve patient access to pharmaceutical innovations, their implementation faces significant barriers. Key enablers—such as robust data systems, adaptive agreements, and stakeholder collaboration—are essential to overcoming these challenges. This research underscores the value of addressing common implementation hurdles through international cooperation, helping to shape solutions and recommendations that support the sustainable adoption of IPMs across Europe.