Rea Lal, Pfizer Switzerland Country Lead on MFN drug pricing in Switzerland; Delays in U.S. launches due to Swiss pricing
3 Questions to our New Board Member: Rea Lal, Country Lead of Pfizer Switzerland - Interpharma
3 Questions to our New Board Member: Rea Lal, Country Lead of Pfizer Switzerland
In light of current geopolitical developments, the Swiss pharmaceutical industry is coming under pressure. Patient access to medications, in particular, is at stake. Where do you see the greatest risk for Switzerland?
Under the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rule, the U.S. will link its drug prices, adjusted for purchasing power, to those in other wealthy countries, including Switzerland, in the future. Consequently, pricing in the small Swiss market will directly impact the U.S. market, which is the world’s largest pharmaceutical market. This creates a dilemma for companies because low prices in Switzerland could negatively impact pricing in the U.S., increasing the risk that innovative therapy launches in Switzerland will be delayed or deprioritized. For Switzerland, this could mean limited access to innovations.
What specific measures do you think are necessary to reduce the current delays in the national pricing and reimbursement process, so patients in Switzerland can access innovative therapies faster?
What is needed is a modernization of the pricing system so that prices adequately reward innovation. For example, one of the methods used in the Swiss pricing system is the so-called therapeutic cross-comparator (TQV) in which drugs used to treat the same disease are compared with one another. In oncology, this can result in new therapies being compared with older treatments that are no longer up to date. One of our proposals is therefore: There needs to be a transparent comparator selection process based on scientific and medical rational, rather than an isolated cost-containment perspective. Independent clinical experts should be involved in this process. We would like to continue contributing to the development of solutions that enable rapid access to innovations within a sustainably financed healthcare system. However, this requires a shift in perspective.
How do you plan to contribute to the Interpharma Board?
Switzerland’s political system is designed to ensure that solutions are coordinated across all stakeholders and capable of gaining majority support. This focus on consensus is one of the country’s strengths. Throughout my professional career, I have been motivated by collaboration, seeking viable solutions and forging alliances. This has enabled me to build bridges, particularly in the area of vaccinations. There is a broad consensus on the importance of improving vaccination coverage among at-risk groups. I have therefore worked to bring together the relevant stakeholders to discuss and implement concrete measures jointly, such as strengthening the public’s vaccine literacy and enhancing the role of pharmacies. Accordingly, I see my contribution as complementing Interpharma’s strong network by providing additional perspectives and contacts, as well as advancing solutions that enjoy broad support in the face of upcoming challenges.
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