Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–November 3, 2015. The Department of Health and Human Services today announced a public forum to explore pharmaceutical innovation, access, affordability and better health. Below is the text of the invitation:
Modern medicine, including new pharmaceuticals that cure or help combat life threatening diseases, continues to deliver significant benefits for patients. And in general, the development of new, innovative medicines has been good for both patients and our economy. However, the high and growing cost of drugs has created hardship for families, employers, and states. Specialty medications represent only 1% of all prescriptions but, in 2014, these medications resulted in over 31% of all drug spending.
Secretary Burwell is asking stakeholders to share information as to how to address this complex problem. The forum will bring together consumers, providers, employers, manufacturers, health insurance issuers, representatives from state and federal government, and other stakeholders to share information and discuss ideas to increase access to information, drive innovation, strengthen incentives and promote competition. We seek your views on how to foster a health care system that leads in innovation, delivers the most affordable, highest quality medicines and results in healthier people.
During the forum, we will hear from a broad range of stakeholders on opportunities to improve patient access to affordable prescription drugs, develop innovative purchasing strategies and incorporate value-based and outcomes-based models into purchasing programs in both the public and private sectors.
We acknowledge this is a multi-faceted problem with no one solution, but there is a significant benefit – to all of us – of working together to find a solution.
The forum will take place at HHS in Washington, D.C. on November 20 and will be live webcast. Please visit: http://www.hhs.gov/hhspharmaceuticalforum for additional information.
Source: www.hhs.gov
