OBJECTIVES: The conceptualisation of Market Access (MA) within pharmaceutical industry (Pharma) requires clarity currently and this is not documented in literature. This is to help about the understanding of the concept and dynamic of MA process and the evolution of professional identity including MA role in pharma. A scoping review was used in this study to map themes on the conceptualisation of MA and its role within the pharma.

METHODS: Arskey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework, and The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews extension checklist were used. BioMed Central, WorldCat.org and Directory of Open Access Journals were searched from 2003 to 2023. Full text review was conducted for 19 papers that met the eligibility criteria by two reviewers. One of the authors arbitrated on disputed papers for inclusion. Key findings were mapped and summarised descriptively. inductive analysis was done allowing codes/themes that are relevant to the concept to emerge.

RESULTS: The databases search yielded 222 results. Following title and abstract screening, 146 papers were screened, 127 were excluded. Only 14 papers were included in the final analysis. Five conceptual dimensions of MA in pharma were identified as ‘right products’, ‘right patient’, ‘right price’, ‘right point (time)’ and ‘right place (setting)’.

CONCLUSIONS: Market access in pharma commences with the development and availability of the right products that is proven to be efficacious and disease specific; specifically produced for the right patients; delivered at the right point in a timely; given at the right price and conducted rightly within the economic, policy, societal, and to ensure product profit. Healthcare provider and policy makers are to be aware of these findings in their decision-making process.