Fischer (vfa): “No neutral benefit assessment in Germany”

16.06.2015 09:53

The Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers criticizes German pharmaceutical pricing policy and the fact that the drugs are not reaching patient care in sufficient quantities.

The vfa press release states: Prices for new medications in Germany are negotiated nationally between individual pharmaceutical companies and the umbrella association of health insurance funds. However, the drug prices negotiated with the health insurance funds in Germany are significantly lower than in other European countries. 73 percent of German prices are said to be below the average of our neighbors, and 38 percent are the lowest overall. www.vfa.de/erstattungsniveau

Birgit Fischer, Managing Director of the vfa, said: “In Germany, there is no scientifically neutral
Benefit assessment of a medicinal product, but the umbrella association of health insurance funds has at national level
a dominant position in valuation and pricing. As a result, the price level in Germany has fallen below the European average."

"Despite their strong position in national pricing, health insurance companies also exert regional pressure on doctors not to prescribe new medications through cost-effectiveness audits. As a result, new medications in Germany may be quickly on the market, but they usually reach patients only slowly. While politicians have sought to ensure patient access to innovations, in practice, creeping rationing is characterized by gradual rationing. Medical progress, the hallmark of the German healthcare system, is in danger of being lost in favor of quick cost-cutting. The impression is created that every effort is being made to keep drugs with proven added value off the prescription list," Fischer continued.