Country managers from three leading medtech multinationals give their take on the key access challenges facing medical device companies in Greece.
New Access Models
“While some value-based procurement agreements have been struck in the private sector, we are struggling to gain acceptance for such agreements in the public sector. This will require the industry to engage in greater levels of engagement and education with regulators, other governmental authorities, and the managers of public hospitals.”
The new centralised procurement authority – once it implements regional and centralised tenders – can also play a role in introducing new procurement models, especially for high-technology products
“Hopefully, when we are able to present alternative models and their successes in the private system, these stakeholders will be able to see their benefits. The new centralised procurement authority – once it implements regional and centralised tenders – can also play a role in introducing new procurement models, especially for high-technology products.
“Health technology assessment (HTA) has been a much-discussed topic in recent years, and while there has been some progress towards a pharmaceutical HTA in Greece, we are still waiting on the medtech side. Our expectation is that the dial will move on this in the next two to three years.”
Integrating Tech
“Greece spends less than other European countries on healthcare as a percentage of GDP; a metric where there is room for improvement. Until this improvement occurs, we must be smarter in the way we develop and deploy our technology and innovations in the country. Although budgets are limited, there are ways in which we can still be effective.
In areas like oncology – which is a priority for Europe and a challenge to humanity – there is a need for technology maps that address oncology from diagnosis to treatment and beyond
“There are two main ways to bring technology into healthcare. The public sector utilises a typical tendering process which could be improved via a more holistic approach to value, considering concepts like disease management and clinical care pathways. In areas like oncology – which is a priority for Europe and a challenge to humanity – there is a need for technology maps that address oncology from diagnosis to treatment and beyond, rather than a fragmented investment that only aims to cover basic needs.
“In the private sector, there is also a need for high-end technology. Private sector actors, therefore, need the proper motivation to invest and – like their public sector counterparts – see this investment not as a cost but an opportunity to keep people healthy and grow the economy.”
A Focus on HTA
“HTA is at the top of the priority list for SEIV, the Greek medtech association for which I serve as chairman, in its discussions with the Ministry of Health, the National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY), and other key stakeholders. Preliminary discussions to create such a body for medical devices in Greece are underway – although the timelines are unclear – and we are a big supporter of it.
Understanding patient needs, creating a budget according to those needs, and trying to find the best value-based therapies for them must be the new approach for the healthcare system
“At the same time, we as Medtronic are pushing for reinvestment in innovation to give patients easy access to innovative therapies which does not exist today. Understanding patient needs, creating a budget according to those needs, and trying to find the best value-based therapies for them must be the new approach for the healthcare system. The measures taken during the financial crisis were predominantly horizontal and short-termist, but we must move past that approach.”
