For some time now, pharmaceutical managers have been preparing for the “perfect storm”. While some have re-evaluated their business models, others have implemented new market access programs or reduced costs. Although all of these measures can be considered important and necessary, this study shows that these efforts are by no means sufficient to successfully address the fundamental obstacles which lay ahead.
In order to feature among the winners of the ongoing challenges, corporations need to step up. Two types of trends are testing them: Some have arisen because the world is questioning the way healthcare is delivered. Other issues, such as the expiration of patents or empty pipelines, are specific to the industry.
Within the industry, new stakeholders, such as payors and patients, have gained influence, increasing the need for novel commercial models. Increasingly difficult market access and issues related to reimbursement have resulted in significant pricing pressure across most markets. Traditional hurdles have been heightened and new ones put into place. In combination with the discounts which are granted to payors, the trend not to launch products in certain markets can therefore be expected to accelerate.
