Consensus Study on Patient Access to Affordable Drug Therapies

Under the auspices of the Institute of Medicine, an ad hoc committee will examine patient access to affordable and effective drug therapies, with an emphasis on pricing, inflation in cost, and insurance design. The committee, which will analyze current scientific evidence as a basis for their deliberations and recommendations, will be comprised of 15 experts from a variety of disciplines, including: economics, bioethics, insurance, and drug development. The committee will look at how factors such as patents, reimbursement, cost-sharing policies, drug access programs, effectiveness assessments, and measures to prevent drug shortages, effect cost and access to pharmaceuticals. The committee will issue a report with findings and recommendations for policy actions that could address pricing trends, improve patient access, and encourage innovations.

This project will inform the national dialogue about drug pricing and provide policymakers with the recommendations and evidence they need to make new laws and regulations related to pharmaceuticals. The target audience is federal policymakers.