The global payer environment is continuously undergoing transformative changes, driven by new policy introductions and significant updates to the existing frameworks. These shifts are poised to reshape pricing and market access (P&MA) strategies for pharmaceutical companies, influencing both the launch of new products and the optimisation of their existing and planned portfolios.
The Access Infinity team explores how these evolving dynamic payer policies will impact pharmaceutical manufacturers and patient access to innovative therapies across global markets in 2025 and beyond. This year represents a pivotal moment for the industry, presenting both opportunities and challenges. For pharmaceutical companies, it is essential to closely monitor policy developments, adapt to shifting dynamics, and embrace forward-thinking strategies to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Access Infinity closely analysed three key payer policies from the perspective of P&MA implications for pharmaceutical manufacturers, focusing on how they can strategise to seize opportunities and address challenges.
Trend #1. FRANCE: Social Security Financing Law 2025 Shaping Pharma’s Future
The latest publication of the French Social Security Financing Law (LFSS 2025), underlines continued emphasis on the cost containment measures and increasing pricing pressure for pharmaceutical manufacturers in France.
Trend #2. UK: Unravelling Changes to the Routing Criteria for Highly Specialised Technologies
NICE has announced significant updates to the Highly Specialised Technologies (HST) appraisal process by refining the criteria for assessing treatments for ultra-rare diseases. The amended criteria will be implemented from 1st April 2025 to ensure that the decisions for treatments routed through this process are more predictable, consistent and transparent.
Trend #3. SPAIN: Publication of Financing Reports on Inclusion of New Medicines into NHS
The Spanish Ministry of Health is strengthening transparency in the process of incorporating new medicines into the National Health System (NHS) by publishing reports on the reimbursement decisions and agreements with companies
Pharma Should Strive for a Proactive Planning Paired with Agile Adaptation Amidst Evolving Global Payer Policy Dynamics
The pharmaceutical industry is navigating an era of unprecedented change, shaped by evolving global payer policies, intricate pricing regulations, and dynamic market conditions across the globe. These shifts are creating a complex and challenging environment for pharma’s market access and pricing strategies. To succeed, pharmaceutical industry must abandon reactive approaches and embrace a new paradigm: proactive planning paired with agile adaptation.
Why Proactive Planning is Critical
Pharmaceutical manufacturers must anticipate market-specific payer policies, understand their implications, and identify opportunities while mitigating risks. Proactive planning enables manufacturers to align their strategies with evidence expectations, payer preferences, and HTA frameworks, ensuring smoother access to markets with optimised pricing outcomes.
Agility: The Key to Navigate the Unexpected
The global payer landscape is constantly evolving, with new regulations emerging, evidence requirements becoming more stringent and intensifying competitive landscape. In this context, agility becomes a necessity. Pharmaceutical manufacturers that can adapt quickly to shifting policies and leverage flexible strategies will be better equipped to navigate these challenges effectively.
As the pharmaceutical industry stands at the crossroads of opportunities and challenges in 2025, success will depend on how well companies can anticipate payer policy changes/ updates, adapt strategies, and collaborate via cross-functional approach. By embracing proactive planning and agile adaptation, pharmaceutical manufacturers can thrive in this dynamic environment while ensuring patient access to life-saving therapies at sustainable prices.
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Authored by
Nikhil Taxak, Ph. D, APAC Head, Pricing and Market Access Data and Analytics*
Anupama Somu, Associate Manager, Data Team
Sapana Gusain, Associate Analyst, Data Team
David McConkey, Partner
Brett Gardiner, Senior Partner
All authors represent Access Infinity
*Corresponding author: nikhil@accessinfinity.com
