We seek to increase access to innovative medicines, raising treatment standards for the patients we serve and contribute to global health at scale. To do that we engage with healthcare systems, insurance companies and other paying customers to ensure reimbursement coverage of our medicines. We also ensure that we have a portfolio of treatment options available, sometimes at different price levels, to allow paying customers to have affordable treatment options irrespective of their financial ability.
When we determine the pricing of our medicines we take multiple factors into consideration. Our primary focus is the medical need the product meets for clinicians and patients, how the clinical profile improves the patients’ short- and long-term health outcomes and quality of life and, if relevant, how these outcomes compare to alternative treatment options. Other factors include the contracting, pricing and reimbursement systems of the given country.
The way the price and reimbursement of medicines are determined varies between countries. In many countries, a value-based assessment forms the basis for a negotiation between the pharmaceutical manufacturer and the government. In other countries the process involves insurance companies or intermediaries purchasing medicines on behalf of their customers.
When engaging in price and reimbursement discussions globally, Novo Nordisk will apply a tailored approach according to the local medical needs, healthcare context and system-specific guidance for patient access.
A cornerstone of our pricing and reimbursement approach is the value-based assessment, where comparative clinical effectiveness and health economic methods are used to outline the value of the medicine to patients, healthcare systems and society as a whole Novo Nordisk is supporting equitable access and affordability through a range of global and local initiatives.
Since 2001, we have had an Access to Insulin Commitment to improve access to quality treatments for patients. The commitment guarantees low-priced human insulin in 77 countries which are identified by United Nations as Least Developed Countries or by the World Bank as low-income countries. Our commitment also extends to countries where large middle-income populations lack sufficient health coverage and to selected organisations providing relief in humanitarian settings. Our guarantee entails human insulin in vials provided at a ceiling price of USD 3.00 per vial. The ceiling price for organisations providing relief in humanitarian settings is USD 2.00 per vial
In other markets we work with stakeholders to implement patient support programmes, solutions targeted vulnerable patient groups and affordability initiatives
In the US, we focus on driving comprehensive affordable patient access. For more information on our pledge, offerings and initiatives please visit the Access & affordability
We believe that value-based pricing and access principles for chronic diseases are forming the cornerstones for creating a healthier future supported by pharmaceutical innovation
While methods will vary across geographies, we believe due consideration should be given to the following principles
We are committed to driving initiatives that leads to concrete access solutions which contributes to healthier populations, and we know that in the pursuit of this ambition we rely on a close collaboration with our stakeholders.