Brussels, 29/02/2016 (Agence Europe) -An external study published at the end of 2015 by the European Commission recommends member states to improve their comparative external prices (CEP) systems. According to the Austrian Planning and Research Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH), this system does allow for savings to be made but does not, however, have any real impact on access to medicines.
The 260-page study, of which a summary was published on Wednesday 24 February, focuses on improving coordination between countries in the area of pharmaceutical product price regulation. Its starting point is based on the observation that there is an urgent need to ensure patients' access to new medicines -possibly innovative - in the context of new expensive medicines. In this context, it examines the comparative external prices (CEP) systems and differentiated tariffs (DT). The former corresponds to the practice of using the prices of medicines in one or several countries in view of calculating a reference or reference price when setting or negotiating the prices of medicines in a given country. The latter describes the strategy of obtaining different prices for the same product invoiced to different customers.
Overall, the study comes out in favour of comparative external prices that allows for savings to be made. In 2015, 25 EU member states set the prices of medicines (apart from a few exceptions) on the basis of price comparisons with other countries (Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom are exceptions). The study points out that “The member states could improve their CEP systems, particularly by making regular price revisions, whilst taking into account (statutory) reductions”. The study points out, however, that this is not a cooperation tool in itself and that “these measures will, above all, help make savings but not improve access to medicines”. The study then goes on to say that differentiated tariff implementation does not appear possible in the EU in the short term. The study also indicates that “it should be backed up by other strategic options, including competition from generics, grouped purchases, voluntary and mandatory licenses”.
In conclusion, it does not give its full and entire support to any of the two policies (CEP and DT) for improving access to medicines. Nonetheless, it is encouraging member states to “look at the possibility of exploring other new pharmaceutical policies, such as common purchasing initiatives that are not included in this study”. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)