[Innovative patient access schemes for the adoption of new technology: risk-sharing agreements]

Abstract

The incorporation of new treatments, procedures and technologies into the services' portfolio of healthcare providers should aim to improve three areas equally: patient access to innovative solutions, the sustainability of the health system and compensation for innovation. However, traditional schemes based on fixed prices that fail to consider the product's appropriate use or its results in terms of effectiveness may lead to inefficient decision-making processes. Recently, risk-sharing agreements have appeared as new access schemes based on results that aim to reduce the uncertainty of the distinct health care players involved in reaching an agreement on new health technology financing and conditions of use. Key elements in the debate on these instruments are the huge variety of instruments available (especially those based on results), the implications for different players involved in their design and supervision, and their possible implementation in Spain. Our main conclusion is that risk-sharing agreements should be used in highly limited cases when standard conditions of access cannot be applied due to uncertainty about long-term effectiveness. These measures are aimed not only at regulating price but also at acting on the appropriate use of new technology. However, because international experience is limited, drawing a solid conclusion on the final results of the application of risk-sharing agreements would be premature.