Pharma & the Future: Powered by Partnership & Patient Experience – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post 993

Pharma & the Future: Powered by Partnership & Patient Experience – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post 993

Dear Colleagues! This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post 993 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma Veterans Blogs are published by Asrar Qureshi on its dedicated site https://pharmaveterans.com. Please email to aq.pharmaveterans@gmail.com for publishing your contributions here.

Image Created with Microsoft Designer

Image Created with Microsoft Designer

Image Created with Microsoft Designer

This blogpost is a summary of the new White-paper on the subject of patients’ engagement with Pharma Industry. Link at the end.

[Quote] Pharma has long been guilty of putting profit before people, but that's beginning to change. While there's still a long road ahead, patient-engagement efforts are steadily improving. [Unquote]. Pharma & Patient USA 2024 shall be held on October 15-16, 2024 at Westin Boston Seaport. The event is organized by Reuters.

Preamble

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a profound transformation, shifting from a focus on profit to prioritizing patients at the center of its operations. This change is driven by global and local initiatives, with the United Nations setting ambitious goals to combat diseases and improve access to healthcare. Regulatory bodies like the FDA in the U.S. and STOA in Europe are demanding patient-centric approaches in drug development, emphasizing the importance of patient experience data (PED) in the process.

There is growing consumer activism and interest in healthcare, which is pushing the industry to engage more meaningfully with patients. Engaging patients in product research and development (R&D) is now recognized as beneficial not only for improving individual and population health but also for enhancing the business and societal value. However, this engagement also raises questions about the financial relationships between patient advocacy groups (PAGs) and pharmaceutical companies. Transparency and accountability in these relationships are becoming increasingly important.

Over the past five years those that have built successful patient engagement models, “have seen net present value (NPV) increase in billions,” and the chances of regulatory approval by 20%, says Nicholas Brooke, Executive Director of not-for-profit Patient Focused Medicines Development (PFMD). However, aside from reducing time-to-market and research times, lowering the costs of research and more, every time there is a benefit for the organization, there is also one for the community and society at large.

Measuring Impact, Demonstrating Value

Despite the benefits of patient engagement, there is still a need to measure its impact effectively. Stakeholders within the industry are calling for more precise and intentional metrics to assess patient benefits, whether in clinical trials or real-world settings. Challenges remain in measuring the true value of patient engagement and ensuring that organizations are prepared to embrace patient-first approaches.

The industry is also exploring new frontiers made possible by patient experience data and generative AI. These technologies offer the potential to revolutionize drug development, trial design, and commercialization. However, this requires strong cross-functional collaboration and a shift in mindset within organizations to prioritize patient outcomes over short-term financial gains.

A key challenge in the industry is the effective measurement of patient engagement. Getz highlights the limitations in current measurement approaches, which often lack the necessary commitment from all organizational functions. The industry needs to develop better frameworks and metrics to assess the true value of patient engagement, both qualitatively and quantitatively. There is also a need for greater transparency in how patient engagement data is shared and used within organizations.

Five strategies are proposed to drive change:

1. Share insights transparently: Insights from patient engagement activities should be shared openly to inform future strategies.

2. Adopt holistic KPIs: Key performance indicators should go beyond simple metrics like drug sales and focus on patient outcomes and impact.

3. Establish frameworks for patient value: Develop specific frameworks to describe patient value across different dimensions.

4. Get tactical: Ensure that all functions within an organization understand and implement patient-centric processes.

5. Allocate sufficient time: Allow time for patient engagement activities to be fully integrated and measured effectively.

Powering Partnerships Across the Ecosystem

Strategic partnerships are becoming increasingly important in the pharmaceutical industry. Companies like Marinus Pharmaceuticals are leveraging partnerships to expand their reach and improve patient outcomes. Marinus, for example, collaborates with local partners to take advantage of their infrastructure and expertise, particularly in regions like Europe, China, and the Middle East North Africa (MENA). These partnerships help streamline clinical development and enhance the effectiveness of patient advocacy efforts.

Internal collaboration is also crucial. Ipsen, a global biopharmaceutical company, has adopted an asset-centric model to improve collaboration across functions. This model involves integrating patient insights from the outset, ensuring that patient advocacy is central to the drug development process.

For companies like Nestlé Health Science, which focuses on human needs beyond just disease treatment, partnerships are vital for success. Their collaboration with Seres Therapeutics, for example, has led to the development of the first FDA-approved therapeutic oral microbiome.

Closing Gaps, Creating Access

Despite progress, significant gaps remain in ensuring health equity and access to medicines. Issues like the underrepresentation of minority groups in clinical trials and the lack of inclusivity for sexual and gender minorities highlight the ongoing challenges. The Access to Medicine Foundation is working to address these gaps by analyzing the actions of top pharmaceutical companies in improving access to healthcare in low- and middle-income countries.

Organizations like the Africa Advocacy Foundation (AAF) are calling for better data and greater inclusion in clinical trials. Initiatives like "Treating Me Right" and "My Health Initiative" are examples of how the industry is working to empower patients and elevate their voices in the healthcare system.

Technology and Patient Experience

The integration of generative AI and vast datasets presents significant opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry. According to McKinsey, AI could generate $60 to $110 billion annually for the industry by accelerating drug discovery, development, and marketing processes. AI can also advance patient-centricity by generating insights from patient data, personalizing treatments, and improving patient outcomes.

However, the use of AI also raises concerns about data quality, trust, and governance. There is a need for a systematic approach to ensure that patient experiences and perspectives are captured meaningfully. Sharing patient experience data (PED) across the industry could benefit research and patient care, but this requires careful consideration of data privacy and competitive interests.

Organizations like Novartis are exploring new ways to understand and engage with patients. Their concept of "patient life experience," developed through ethnographic research, aims to move beyond the traditional patient journey model. By continuously listening to patients and adapting their approaches, companies can better meet patient needs and improve outcomes.

Sum Up

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a growing focus on patient-centricity, health equity, and partnerships. This shift is essential for addressing the complex challenges of developing and delivering innovative treatments. The integration of technology, collaboration across the ecosystem, and a commitment to patient outcomes will be key to the industry's future success.

As the industry navigates this transition, it must balance commercial interests with societal expectations, ensuring that patient needs remain at the forefront of its efforts. By embracing these changes, the pharmaceutical industry can build a more sustainable, inclusive, and patient-centered future.

Concluded.

Disclaimers: Pictures in these blogs are taken from free resources at Pexels, Pixabay, Unsplash, and Google. Credit is given where available. If a copyright claim is lodged, we shall remove the picture with appropriate regrets.

For most blogs, I research from several sources which are open to public. Their links are mentioned under references. There is no intent to infringe upon anyone’s copyrights. If, however, it happens unintentionally, I offer my sincere regrets.

Reference:

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