It was with great enthusiasm that I read a new set of recommendations authored by alumni of the Drive-AB Consortium in a policy brief here: https://lnkd.in/dmd7ukKu
It advocates for a set of antimicrobial pull incentives to be coordinated by the EU Directorate-General Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA), which are both voluntary and country-specific. The objectives are both to foster antimicrobial innovation and to ensure uniform access across the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) Countries.
The framework is transparent and accountable, where the biopharmaceutical companies can see what innovations are incentivized by high, medium, low or no rewards. By tying rewards to clinical impact, innovativeness and significant reduction in mortality and morbidity, the proposal ensures that financial incentives are directed towards antimicrobial agents with the greatest potential for public benefit. It is voluntary for the EEA and EU Member States (MS) to participate, and if deciding to do so each MS will use its normal processes for pricing, reimbursement, and procurement.
Thus, COUNTRIES CAN IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION ON THEIR OWN POLITICAL PACE USING THEIR OWN SYSTEMS. Not participating or delaying participation will deny that countries’ citizenry access to new drugs. With its capabilities and financial resources, the EU holds a significant position in coordinating a joint endeavor, and HERA seems to be the right authority to take on this task.
In Europe, only the UK and Sweden have decided to introduce similar reimbursement models at a national level so far. But there are significant advantages to having a EU wide scheme to foster antimicrobial innovation.
The message is, therefore, clear: antimicrobial pull incentives are feasible, essentially needed and have critical life-saving impact.
Thanks to Christine (Larson) Årdal, Steffen Aggerholm Krog, Steffen Pierini Lüders, Kahleh Hassan, Judith Vonberg
https://lnkd.in/dmd7ukKu