Dear members,

This week pharmaphorum is focussing on the hot topic of market access. With the passage of healthcare reform in the US controlling access to newer high priced medicines will no longer be a European-centric issue, so we’re featuring a number of relevant articles this week. Yesterday and today saw pieces looking at the impact of healthcare reform on access to innovation in the US and the tools required by the industry to engage with market access stakeholders. Tomorrow sees a look at Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS), a key factor controlling access in the US and Mike Rea is back on Thursday with the WAIMO view of market access.

Please let anyone interested in these issues know about the site focus this week and I hope to see some active debate around all of these articles.

Recent forum posts:

There is already a flurry of market access related topics on the forum with comments, including:

Healthcare reform
http://www.pharmapho...ic/healthcare-reform

What is the ideal market access scheme?
http://www.pharmapho...market-access-scheme

US healthcare reform impact on Europe
http://www.pharmapho...orm-impact-on-europe

Does SMC mean we don't need NICE?
http://www.pharmapho...an-we-dont-need-nice

If you want to know how to register and place comments then click here:

http://www.pharmapho...comments-on-the-site

Recent articles:

Published by Arnault Billy (Cegedim Dendrite) on Tuesday 30th March
“Market access challenges driving pharma change”
Taking a helicopter view of the market access landscape, Arnault Billy assesses how the current challenges are driving the development of innovative new pharma tools.
http://www.pharmapho...iving-pharma-change/

Published by Erroin A. Martin (Von Gehr Consulting Group) on Monday 29th March
“Historic change reduces access to innovation”
As Obama passes the historic and controversial healthcare reform bill, Erroin A. Martin asks what impact this will have on market access and medicine availability in the US.
http://www.pharmapho...ccess-to-innovation/

Watch out for the next pieces on Wednesday and Thursday and please add your comments to the debate.

Other updates:

A new market access event by eyeforpharma has been added to the site:

Market Access USA 2010
http://www.pharmapho...ket_access_usa_2010/

There are also two other upcoming market access events listed:

eyeforpharma: 3rd annual Oncology Market Access Europe Summit
http://www.pharmapho...ccess_europe_summit/

NextLevel Pharma: 2nd Annual Pharmaceutical Risk-Sharing & Value-Based Pricing & Reimbursement Models
http://www.pharmapho...eimbursement_models/

And finally...wishing a pleasant Easter weekend to all those who get some extra days holiday!

Have a great week,

Paul.