The Dawn of a New Era: Cross-Border Collaborations—Regional, Pan-European, and Transcontinental—How Will They Shape the Future of Access?

ISSUE: In the last decade, we have seen a proliferation of regional partnerships around Europe that have worked together on horizon scanning, HTA, pricing and joint purchasing. Against the backdrop of joint clinical assessment and the revision of the EU general pharmaceutical legislation, the European Commission is keen to increase knowledge sharing—and potentially joint procurement—among all Member States. New alliances have emerged beyond the borders of the EU—often featuring the UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE)—that involve organisations from different continents. How do these disparate collaborations compare in their objectives and methods? Where will they focus their activity? What long-term impact will they have on access environments? This spotlight session will appeal to policymakers, HTA agencies, payers and pharmaceutical companies.

OVERVIEW: Neil Grubert (moderator) will begin with an overview of the key developments in cross-border collaboration in recent years. He will identify the key features of the leading regional, pan-European and transcontinental initiatives.

Dr Roisin Adams will reflect on the challenges and opportunities for regional partnerships, such as the Beneluxa Initiative and the International Horizon Scanning Initiative, and consider how they may evolve. She will also examine how the Heads of HTA Agencies will support voluntary cooperation on HTA.

Johan Potén will share insights on how the Nordic region has become a pioneer in cross-border collaboration, bringing together HTA and procurement to accelerate access to promising new treatments.

Dr Meindert Boysen will discuss the role the Novel Medicines Platform could play in improving access to innovative health technologies across Europe and beyond, and what other regions might learn. He will also consider how mature HTA agencies from different continents are working together in alliances such as the AUS-CAN-NZ-UK Collaboration Arrangement, and how they are helping less experienced countries to develop HTA systems.

Q&A