Market Access Matters – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode we sit down with Nikhil Taxak, Head of Pricing and Market Access Data Analytics at Access Infinity, to explore the rapidly evolving market access landscape.

From the US Most Favored Nation (MFN) policy and Germany's Medical Research Act to surprising developments in Japan's pricing thresholds, Nikhil breaks down how these changes are reshaping pricing and reimbursement strategies worldwide.

The conversation covers emerging regional patterns across Europe, North America, and Asia, with particular focus on three key themes: cost containment measures, value-based innovation recognition, and increasing transparency requirements. Nikhil also addresses the practical challenges pharmaceutical companies face as they navigate stricter evidence requirements, lower price tolerance, and greater global interconnectedness.

This episode references Nikhil's 'In the Loop' email newsletter and 'Navigating the Waves' blog, which he authors with his team. Find out more and subscribe on these links: 

https://accessinfinity.com/policy-intelligence/subscribe-to-in-the-loop/

https://accessinfinity.com/news-resources/ 

and filter 'policy insights'. 

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In this episode, we're joined by Louisa Oliver Byrne, Senior Consultant at Access Infinity. We learn about the complexities of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) policy and its implications for pharmaceutical market access. Louisa shares insights from her recent research on MFN, exploring how direct-to-consumer pricing models might actually play out in practice, and why the policy's stated goals don't always align with likely outcomes. From "brown bagging" concerns to payer behaviour shifts, this episode unpacks what pharma companies need to know about preparing for an uncertain policy landscape through strategic scenario planning.

Useful resources referenced in this episode:  

You can download the article 'Market Access in the IRP Era: Scenarios to Plan for an Uncertain Future' here. 

Details of the CELforPharma course 'Understanding Pharma Market Access in the US' are available on the CELforPharma website here. 

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Korinna Karampampa, who is Director Market Access and Pricing at CSL Behring, joins this episode to share her views on sustainable economic development. 

Korinna shares what led her into market access and explains what drives her to think outside the box to build and demonstrate a product's current and future value.  


The opinions shared in this episode are Korinna’s own views and not representative of the organisation she is working for. 

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In this episode we're joined by our first guest from Biotech - Ning Lu, who is Associate Director, International Pricing & Market Access at Blueprint Medicines.

Ning shares her views on the complexities of market access and what makes the Biotech industry unique. She shares what inspired her to pursue a career in market access in biotechnology and why she feels it's a dynamic role and opportunity to 'connect the dots' with everything you learn.   

Ning references and recommends the book "Science Business: The promise. The reality. And the future of biotech." By Gary Pisano. More information on this title is available here. https://amzn.eu/d/5nfsQVA  

The opinions shared in this episode are Ning’s own views and not representative of the organisation she is working for.  

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There’s no doubt that Market Access and Pricing leaders are fast becoming strategic partners in helping their wider organisations to understand the critical role of the function. In this episode, Marco Rauland from Merck KGaA joins us to explore this topic.

Marco is Vice President Global Market Access and Pricing strategy, Pricing and Analytics. With over 25 years' experience in the field, he shares his views on the importance of clear communication when engaging all stakeholders and why MA&P leaders need to take a holistic approach to understanding all corners of drug development and launch. 

We also touch on the potential for AI in market access as the industry begins to explore the use cases of this latest innovation. Plus, the challenges market access leaders are facing and what strategies can help them overcome them.  

The opinions shared in this episode are Marco’s own views and not representative of the organisation he is working for.  

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In this episode we're joined by Yvonne Hilsky who is Director of Market Access at Moderna. Having spent over 30 years in industry, Yvonne shares her views on what it takes to be successful in market access, including why making mistakes are an opportunity for growth.   

Yvonne explores why it's important to have strong foundations and understand the 'building blocks' of market access and shares great stories from the early stages of her career, which we're sure will resonate with many of the market access community.  

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In this special episode which coincides with Disability Pride Month, we're joined by Senior Analyst Shubham Jadhav. Shubham has Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) which is a form of muscular dystrophy and causes progressive muscle weakness.  

Shubham is very passionate about raising awareness of rare diseases, disability, inclusivity and accessibility. He joins Keshav Nagaraja to share his story and what we can all be doing to help those with disabilities. It's an inspiring discussion which puts this very important topic in the spotlight. 

More information about Disability Pride Month can be found here: 
https://www.ameridisability.com/how-to-display-disability-pride/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability_Pride_Month

Follow Shubham on LinkedIn here:  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubham-jadhav-ms-%E2%99%BF-he-him-6235b5149/

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Sam is Head of Market Access Canada at Incyte Biosciences Canada and joins the podcast to discuss the evolving market access landscape in Canada. As part of his conversation with Louise, he describes the unique challenges that market access leaders in the country are facing. 

Useful resources referenced in this podcast: 

March 2024 - Canadian Health Policy Institute (Patented Medicines Expenditure in Canada 1990 – 2022)

https://www.canadianhealthpolicy.com/product/patented-medicines-expenditure-in-canada-1990-2022-8th-edition/

January 2024 – Conference Board of Canada (Patented Medicines Expenditure in Canada 1990–2022 8TH Edition)

https://www.conferenceboard.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/access-and-time-to-patient_jan2024.pdf

Innovative Medicines Canada – Access to Medicine

https://innovativemedicines.ca/browse-by/access-to-medicine/

April 2023 – Canadian Health Policy Journal (New cancer drugs in Canada 2012 to 2021: an economic analysis of cost, benefit, availability, and public insurance coverage)

https://www.canadianhealthpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SKINNER-APR-23-New-cancer-drugs-in-Canada-2012-to-2021-final-1.pdf

April 2022 – Canadian Health Policy Institute (Access to New Medicines in Canada 2016 – 2021)

https://www.canadianhealthpolicy.com/posts/access-to-new-medicines-in-canada-2016-2021-federal-provincial-public-drug-programs-and-private-sector-drug-plans/

The opinions shared in this podcast are Sam’s own views and not representative of the company he is working for. 

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In this episode we're joined by Joao Carrasco, Director, Global Market Access Team at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. With a 12+ year career spanning both HEOR and Market Access functions, Joao shares his journey and how his strong HEOR background informs his current role. 

Joao also explores the key pressures and challenges market access teams are facing and his views on the trends shaping the future of market access. 

The opinions shared in this episode are Joao's own views and not representative of the company he is working for.

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In this episode we look at market access through a different lens. We're joined by Becky Germino who has extensive experience in HEOR across a broad range of pharma organisations. 
Becky joined Sanofi this year as HEVA, Neurology and Immunology Team Leader and explains the key priorities for HEOR teams and their role in working closely with market access  to help them define and communicate patient value.
The discussion also explores the role of AI for HEOR and market access teams  and what's on the horizon that leaders should prepare for. 

The opinions shared in this episode are Becky's own views. 

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