Brussels, 21 November 2019

Value added medicines deliver sustainable and continuous innovation with existing molecules and enhance patients’ well-being.

The 3^rd Value Added Medicines Conference brought together thought leaders to discuss the future of digital delivery and the regulatory and market access framework for value added medicines, to help tackle chronic diseases and an ageing population.

According to IQVIA, value added medicines have grown 1% in volume in the EU over the last year ^1,2, and many more initiatives are needed for improving patients’ access to value added medicines. During the conference, a multi-stakeholder exchange of ideas identified clear next steps to improve patients’ access to value added medicines:
 

• Timely approval of value added medicines via streamlined scientific advice processes, fit-for-purpose trial designs and agreed approval pathways with tailor-made incentives for innovation
• ‘Next generation guidelines’ advised by physicians here
• A pragmatic value framework that enables access to value added medicines and considers the specific benefits of value added medicines
• the contribution of digital value added medicines in changing the paradigm of disease management and benefiting patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems.

Speaking at the conference, the Chair of the Value Added Medicines Sector Group at Medicines for Europe, Arun Narayan, commented “The number of people over 80 will double by 2050, rising from 4.7% to 11.3% across 27 EU members³ .Governments will be more challenged ­­­to deliver high-quality care due to rising demand and the physical and mental challenges associated with ageing and value added medicines provide one solution. Within 18 months of the introduction of a pricing and reimbursement legislation in Belgium that supports value added medicines, more Belgian patients are benefiting from safer and more convenient value added medicines. We urge EU governments to adopt the Belgian approach and seize the benefits of continuous improvements to transform health care”.

Medicines for Europe President, Christoph Stoller, added “Patients must sit at the heart of the digital health revolution. There are clear and significant benefits to be gained. We have discussed the opportunities ahead - how to make the most of the digital health revolution so that patients can be the ultimate beneficiaries from such continuous innovation. Our ambition as value added medicines manufacturers is to contribute to a healthier society bringing tailored solutions to patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems. Today’s conference is a crucial milestone in creating the right environment for value added medicines in Europe.”

Winners of the 2^nd Edition of Value Added Medicines award announced!

The Value Added Medicines sector group instituted two awards for projects that bring value added solutions to patients. The winners of the 2019 awards were: 

Winner category ‘Initiatives/campaigns that aim to improve patients’ quality of life and/or adherence and/or demonstrate relevant value added benefits on existing treatments’: 

Project ‘Psoplus, A Patient-Centred Consultation Programme For Patients With Psoriasis’, Elfie Deprez.

Winner category ‘Scientific research/projects led by academics/healthcare professionals/developers that aim to improve existing treatment adherence and/or convenience and/or patients’ preferences and/or demonstrate relevant value added benefits for patients.’

Project ‘MASK digital anamorphosis: Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice and value added medicines’, Prof Dr Jean Bousquet.