PhRMA releases three-part approach to improving health care
PhRMA is proposing a number of policies that will help address the weaknesses of our health care system exposed by the pandemic.
The pandemic has placed a spotlight on the nation’s health care system and how it could be made more efficient and equitable in the future. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is among the organizations offering recommendations. It has released a three-part approach to building a better health care system.
Ending the pandemic and building a more-resilient system. The industry needs to build on the momentum of rapidly developing COVID-19 vaccines, said Stephen Ubl, president and CEO of PhRMA.
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“That starts with collaboration among biopharmaceutical companies, government agencies and others in the public and private sectors, which has been critical in our nation’s COVID-19 response,” he said. “Future policy should avoid measures that would impede this collaboration, such as the erosion of intellectual property protections and reduced incentives for research and development.”
The pandemic also has highlighted weaknesses in the health care infrastructure that led to delays in testing, bottlenecks in the distribution of vaccines and other challenges. PhRMA is proposing a number of policies that will help address these weaknesses and become more resilient in the face of future public health emergencies.
Making medicines more affordable. In 2018, nearly half of the money spent on brand medicines went to someone other than the research companies that discover and manufacture medicines, such as pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, hospitals and others in the biopharmaceutical supply chain, according to PhRMA. Meanwhile, a greater share of the cost of medicine has shifted onto patients.
“Across the board, private insurance should work more like insurance is supposed to: spreading costs broadly and providing affordable coverage when people are sick,” Ubl said. “For example, insurers should cover more medicines from day one for patients with chronic illnesses who are often penalized by high costs. Insurers should also pass on more savings to patients. When insurers don’t pay full price, patients shouldn’t, either.”
Building a more just, equitable health care system. “Moving forward, we’re making diversity, equity and inclusion part of our mission,” he said. “And we are already making progress. Today, voluntary principles adopted by our industry to encourage greater clinical trial diversity will go into effect. The principles will help ensure future clinical trials better reflect the intended treatment population.”
PhRMA also is supporting the collection of more robust data that will allow it to more quickly identify and address health disparities.
“Persistent disparities limit any gains we make in overall health and drive higher costs throughout the system,” Ubl said. “These steps are the beginning, not the end, of our equity efforts. We’ll continue to explore structural changes in health care that would create more incentives for equitable access and outcomes.”
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