December 2023
Guest editor: Mireia Jofre-Bonet | Chief Research Officer
As 2023 draws to the end, and whilst we are all pushing on to meet our pre-Christmas deadlines and looking forward to a well-deserved winter break, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the significant progress we have made at OHE this year.
Prevention and Environmental Sustainability: We have laid that is critical to the sustainability of our healthcare system and the health of our society. We explored the pharmaceutical industry’s role in climate action and an environmentally sustainable healthcare.
Activities related to environment and health have involved reports, insights, webinars, a conference presentation, and the Annual Lecture. On the other hand, OHE’s undertaking in the prevention arena also produced research reports, insights, webinars, and an online education course on the economics of vaccination. Our proposition emphasises the importance of prevention in alleviating the strain on healthcare systems and lessening their impact on the environment.
Cutting-edge HTA, Payment Innovation, and Price Regulation: OHE have cemented our reputation as a leader in these areas, and we are committed to continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible. Our work has included research on the barriers and enablers for the implementation of innovative payment models, as well as the use of real-world evidence to inform healthcare decision-making. In 2023, we have made a visible mark on the HTA space by providing the successful insight series ‘Around the World in HTAs’, working on the vital issue of what is the appropriate discount rate for the Slovakian HTA, a piece on NICE’s impact on global HTA decisions, and providing a country HTA scorecard assessment for gene therapies. In addition, OHE shared advice and international experience with government officials, payers and HTA decision-makers across Asia. Regarding price regulation, OHE has contributed actively to the global dialogue on the Inflation Reduction Act and informed about it using an educational programme.
Exploring and Supporting Innovative Technologies: We have invested significant resources into researching digital health, the use of diagnostic tools for diseases like cancer, next-generation sequencing for lung cancer, and innovation adoption. We are excited about the potential of these technologies to transform healthcare.
Building on Work Already Impactful in OHE have continued to make progress in areas such as AMR and its economic impact, measuring the quality of life of patients and societal burden of chronic conditions, and dementia, building on the momentum of our previous work.
In 2023, we launched our new website, www.ohe.org. It has been wonderful to see it being used extensively. The website is more than just a repository for our research and activities; it’s a platform for engaging in health policy discussions and learning about health economics and related hot topics. It provides resources for the OHE Academy and the OHE Graduate School. We’re excited about what’s to come in 2024, so stay tuned!
Warm seasonal greetings from London Bridge,
Mireia
NEW FROM OHE
Our latest report stresses the under recognised role of adult immunisation programs in population health, productivity, and healthcare systems.
Advocating for a prevention-first mindset, the findings reveal gaps in academic literature, urging policymakers to optimise adult immunisation programs, expand access, and invest in evidence-based research. We call for proactive measures and a transformative shift towards preventive strategies in demographic shifts and health challenges.
Watch on demand | Webinar
The insight shares the key takeaways from the 'Reimagining Prevention for a Healthier, More Prosperous Society,' webinar. Panellists from the pharmaceutical industry, the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), and the UK Government discussed strategies for overcoming these challenges.
Audience queries were focused on organisational structures, budget allocation challenges, and opportunities for quick benefits in prevention policies.
31 January | Webinar
Our experts will reflect on the highlights and lowlights of the past year. We will be spotlighting which have had the biggest impact in 2023, and discussing which emerging issues we have identified for 2024. Agenda and panel information to follow.
OHE 2023 RECAP
In our report, we discuss the potential impact of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) decisions on healthcare choices across 12 countries globally.
Our findings indicate varying impacts, with negative decisions carrying more weight internationally. As global Health Technology Assessment (HTA) dynamics evolve due to European regulations and increased collaboration among agencies, NICE's future influence may change.
In the landscape of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) testing for lung cancer in Europe our report discusses the effectiveness and potential for cost savings and, how access to NGS varies across the continent.
The evidence supports NGS's ability to improve patient outcomes and increase efficiency. Barriers include funding limitations, testing infrastructure inefficiencies, and guidance disparities. To boost uptake, policymakers should focus on pricing and reimbursement mechanisms, standardising testing and care pathways, and developing robust infrastructure.
We look into optimising Real-World Evidence (RWE) for informed healthcare decisions, particularly in reimbursement choices by Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies.
Drawing from esteemed academic papers and HTA publications, we spotlight best practices for generating and utilising RWE. Emphasising quality, transparency, and minimising bias, our recommendations address challenges in incorporating RWE into reimbursement decisions. The report includes a case study on Taiwan, illustrating opportunities for further improving RWE collection and utilisation.
OHE CAREER
Deadline: 16 February 2023
Explore the world of health economics and policy with the OHE PhD Fellowship Programme at LSE. This fully funded 3-year opportunity, starting in September 2024, encourages evidence-based research on diverse topics such as competition in pharmaceutical markets, health technology assessment and more. With full tuition coverage and an annual £20,622 stipend, this opportunity is ideal for home students with an MSc or an economics background.
We are introducing 8 new members who have joined OHE in 2023! In their own words, our new starters are here to share a bit about themselves and what makes them excited to be part of our team.
Look out for opportunities to join our team in 2024!
Watch it here
Deadline: 30 April 2023
OHE supports aspiring health economists by offering part-time studentships for the MSc in Health Economics at City, University of London. The successful candidate will receive OHE-funded part-time fees and a stipend of £1,600 monthly for two years. The fellowship includes engaging in OHE activities, having a co-supervisor from OHE staff, and committing to working with OHE for a year post-graduation. The fellowship is available for home students only.