OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the readiness for collaboration between private health insurance (PHI) and pharmaceutical companies in Egypt.

METHODS: On-site survey on the 2^nd of April 2019 was administered during a workshop attended by decision makers representing different private health insurance players (Third party administrator - TPA, insurer, Health Maintenance Organization – HMO). Anonymous voting was conducted on questions evaluating key elements for collaboration: trust; common objectives; perceived benefits; ideas for collaboration. An online survey was used to evaluate the same concept among decision makers from several pharmaceutical companies in Egypt. Twenty-four representatives from the PHI responded to the survey, and ten representatives filled in the online survey.

RESULTS: The PHI had weak (41%) trust in all their stakeholders (0% meaning no trust, while 100% indicates full trust). Trust in pharmaceutical companies specifically fell below the average (38%). Pharmaceutical companies have higher average trust in their stakeholders (49%), among which their trust in PHI was close to average (48%), higher than their trust in hospitals and physicians (45% each). Fifty eight percent of the respondents from the PHI reported weak to no common purpose with the pharmaceutical companies. On the other hand, 70% of the respondents from the pharmaceutical companies reported they share a common goal. PHI representatives’ objective was to acquire the pharmaceutical products at a lower price. Comparably, pharmaceutical companies coincided about having better access to their patients. Ninety percent and 88% of the pharmaceutical companies’ and PHI respondents respectively, believe that collaboration would give them a competitive advantage.

CONCLUSIONS: Although both PHI, and pharmaceutical companies highly believe that collaboration will give each a competitive advantage, there is a trust issue between both parties. For a successful collaboration, both parties must work on building up trust and working on patient benefit as a common interest.