hict attends the 4th European Healthcare Policy Deciders Forum on Feb 17 & 18th in London

A delegation of hict (Jorgen Bauwens, Jan Demey, Tine Plevoets, Ann Tanghe) will be attending the 4th European Healthcare Policy Deciders Forum hosted by London School of Economics (LSE) and Political Science on February 17th & 18th 2011 in London

This year, the forum’s themes are Encouraging and rewarding innovation & Medicines policy effectiveness and efficiency in resource allocation.

Improving policies to address societal health needs (developed and developing world)

“The objective of this year’s Forum is to contribute to improving the processes and approaches of evaluation of medicines in Europe. This year’s themes reflect on one hand the need for a comprehensive framework - with the participation of all stakeholders – to promote research and innovation in health; on the other hand, addressing the issue of pharmaceutical policy effectiveness has become pertinent particularly in times of adversity and economic crisis, with the need for scarce resources to be optimised. The discussions will focus on the trends and potential innovative solutions regarding national pharmaceutical policies, the evaluation of pharmaceuticals, as well as pricing and reimbursement systems.”

The agenda includes:

1. A Vision for pharmaceutical and biomedical innovation- unmet need (incentives)- basic research (Chair: Gérard de Pouvourville ESSEC; Co-chair: Professor David Taylor, University of London School of Pharmacy);
2. Effectiveness of current medicines policies, from policy to practice (discrepancy between policy objectives and reality) how policies work in practice (Chair: Professor Alistair McGuire, LSE);
3. HTA/Value based pricing and reward of innovation (societal perspective)- current practice and future, how to use value based approach to reward innovation (Chair: Professor Bengt Jönsson, SSE);
4. Uptake of innovation- policy and practice (what is happening in the field and stumbling blocks) (Chair: Professor Tom Walley, University of Liverpool);
5. The way forward: Outlook and challenges for the future (Chair: Andrew Jack, Financial Times, Co-chair: Professor Panos Kanavos, LSE).