Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat. A key pillar in the multi-faceted approach to tackle AMR includes the development and commercialisation of novel antibiotics to replace those to which patients are increasingly becoming resistant. Another approach is focused on diagnostics, which, among others, help decide whether or not the prescription of an antibiotic is required, thus reducing antibiotic consumption.
Medicines and medical devices, hereinafter referred to as health technologies, usually enter the market of a country after the public authority has decided whether, and to what extent, the cost of the specific health technology will be paid for by the public payer. Linked to these reimbursement and procurement decisions, the price of the health technologies can also be determined by authorities. AMR health technologies have special characteristics such as a dearth of data and evidence, a value to society higher than added therapeutic benefit, and comparably low prices of antibiotics compared to diagnostics. These considerations are not yet well captured by the current standard policies on reimbursement, pricing and procurement. There is a need for a more finely tuned set of specific policy options.
Against this backdrop, the study aimed to identify specific policy options in reimbursement, pricing and procurement that are able to incentivise production and market entry of AMR health technologies (novel antibiotics and diagnostics). Included are examples of national policies already in place for AMR health technologies as well as for health technologies with similar characteristics.