OBJECTIVES: The disparities in economic, demographic, and health situations between Western Europe (WE) and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries significantly impact drug reimbursement policies. This study aims to explore the perspectives on whether drug reimbursement practices in WE should influence those in CEE countries, and the perceived challenges and benefits of Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) and Joint Scientific Consultation (JSC) in CEE.

METHODS: A survey was conducted with 36 participants across various countries, focusing on their opinions regarding the impact of WE drug reimbursement on CEE countries. Key topics included the influence of demographic and health differences, the role of Real-World Data (RWD), cost-effectiveness in rare diseases, and the reimbursement of AI-powered health applications. Responses were collected and analyzed to identify trends and significant opinions.

RESULTS: The survey revealed diverse opinions among respondents: 33% of participants believed that drug reimbursement practices in WE should impact CEE countries, while 25% were uncertain. 44% saw JCA/JSC as beneficial for CEE countries. Opinions on the influence of demographic and health differences were split: 40% agreeing and 40% disagreeing. A majority (52%) supported the reimbursement of health applications powered by AI. There was significant support (83%) for considering higher cost-effectiveness thresholds in the economic evaluation of health technologies used in rare diseases, or even withdrawn ICER calculation

CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight a recognition of the benefits of aligning some aspects of drug reimbursement policies between Western and CEE regions, particularly regarding AI-powered health applications and rare diseases. However, there is also a clear indication of the need for tailored approaches considering the unique demographic and health situations of CEE countries. Continuous dialogue and collaborative frameworks like JCA and JCC are viewed positively, suggesting a path forward for harmonizing health technology assessments in a way that respects regional differences.