Market Access

Together, we will improve patient health and experiences while lowering costs across the continuum of care.” This quote, from Andrew Witty, CEO of US health services management company Optum, after the company sealed its acquisition of DaVita Medical Group in 2019, encapsulates the oft-declared goals of vertical integration: efficiencies, improved quality of care, reduced costs. But is this the reality?

Biohaven Pharmaceuticals developed six different value-based contracting options to support the launch of acute migraine therapy, Nurtec ODT. Despite contract complexity and lingering regulatory risk, payers are aggressively pursuing value-based contracts, leading even small biopharmas to invest in strong health economics capabilities.

The turn of the year is a chance to reflect on times past and the future, to make resolutions and look ahead to changes for the better. With Brexit in mind, this is the time to prophesize on UK medtech’s immediate future.

“No deal” was finally off the table for UK trade in goods with the EU after an 11th hour free trade agreement was reached. But for the UK, the decision effectively means a “hard Brexit.”

Last year Bristol Myers Squibb teamed up with GRYT Health to create a virtual conference and information hub geared toward connecting patients and advocates with industry leaders, clinicians and other health experts. In 2021, the COVID Advocacy Exchange will create formal working groups to address ongoing needs identified by the Exchange’s growing number of users.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic fallout, pharmaceutical companies could face a range of measures designed to cut government spending on medicines. From relaxing intellectual property rights to delaying reimbursement, In Vivo examines what might be in store for industry.

Executives at Pfizer and Moderna expressed confidence in their US government partners for initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution and expect pediatric studies to begin before the end of the year. Regeneron will “do the right thing” in pricing its antibody cocktail.

COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of telehealth, but lasting change will only happen once digital health is institutionalized in health system work flows, says Teladoc Health’s Joe DeVivo.

A selection of articles you might have missed from October 2020, including exclusive interviews with industry leaders and a deeper dive into the Femtech market.

A Biden administration, if elected, would protect biopharmaceutical innovation, tackle the rising costs of cancer drugs and “promote science, without politics.”

COVID-19 has disrupted the operational schedules of health care and technology providers alike to unparalleled levels in 2020. But scratch the surface, and outcomes-oriented, value-based health care targets remains a priority – albeit competing a little harder for attention at present.

Fresenius Kabi’s decision to add radio frequency-identification (RFID) tags to 24 products used in hospital operating rooms will help the company’s hospital pharmacy customers reduce waste, increase efficiencies and facilitate tighter medication inventory control, executives told In Vivo. COVID-19-related revenue losses may push more hospitals to adopt automated RFID medication management systems to save time and reduce labor costs.