Managed entry agreements (MEAs) are agreements between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare payers that are designed to optimize access to medicines while balancing the need for affordability and sustainability. MEAs provide a way to ensure that patients have access to new and innovative treatments while at the same time controlling costs for healthcare systems.
MEAs are becoming increasingly common as healthcare costs continue to rise, and payers look for ways to manage their budgets. These agreements typically involve some sort of risk-sharing arrangement, in which the pharmaceutical company agrees to provide the medication to patients at a reduced cost or with specific conditions in place.
One type of MEA is a patient access scheme, which is designed to improve access to expensive drugs for patients who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Under a patient access scheme, the pharmaceutical company agrees to provide the medication to patients at a reduced cost or for free, depending on the patient`s income level.
Another type of MEA is a performance-based agreement, in which the pharmaceutical company agrees to provide the medication at a reduced cost if certain conditions are met. For example, the pharmaceutical company might agree to provide the medication at a reduced cost if the drug is shown to be effective in a certain percentage of patients.
MEAs are often used for medications that are expensive and have a high potential for reimbursement issues. They can be used for both new and existing medications, and they can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
One of the benefits of MEAs is that they allow patients to access medications that might otherwise be out of reach. At the same time, they help to ensure that healthcare payers can control costs and manage their budgets more effectively. MEAs can also help to promote innovation by providing pharmaceutical companies with incentives to develop new medications that are effective and affordable.
In conclusion, managed entry agreements are an innovative approach to balancing the need for access to medications and controlling healthcare costs. They provide a way for pharmaceutical companies and healthcare payers to work together to ensure that patients have access to the drugs they need while at the same time managing budgets and promoting innovation. As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, MEAs are likely to become even more common, providing a valuable tool for managing costs and improving access to medications.
