Tag: patient access to medicines

Categories : Expert Opinion Healthcare Politics and RegulationsTags :

Building a Patient-centric Healthcare Ecosystem in SA: A Bold New Vision

On By ModernMedia
Bada Pharasi, CEO of The Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA)

Imagine a healthcare system which ensures that every patient’s voice helps shape their treatment, where barriers to life-saving care are dismantled, and where innovation is driven by meaningful collaboration. In South Africa, this vision is no longer a distant aspiration; it’s an urgent mission to create a system that truly serves its people, writes Bada Pharasi, CEO of the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa.

South Africa’s healthcare system stands at a critical crossroads. Despite remarkable medical advancements, countless patients remain on the sidelines, hindered by financial, regulatory, and logistical barriers. Today, there’s an opportunity to reshape this reality by building a patient-centred healthcare model that expands access, amplifies patient voices, and creates strategic partnerships.

Empowering patient voices

In a truly inclusive healthcare system, patients aren’t just recipients of care; they are active contributors. By integrating patient perspectives into decision-making, healthcare becomes more responsive to those it serves. 

Through collaborations with patient advocacy groups, educational campaigns, and year-round initiatives, there’s a growing movement to create an environment in which patients feel heard and empowered to influence the care they receive. While events such as World Patient Safety Day help highlight the importance of prioritising patient needs, the goal is to make this a constant focus, not just an annual observance.

Key prerequisites for achieving this are efficient regulatory frameworks, impactful public-private partnerships, rare disease management, and a true commitment to innovation. 

Streamlined regulatory partnerships

Timely access to groundbreaking treatments depends on efficient regulatory frameworks. Collaborating closely with regulatory authorities such as the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is pivotal in expediting access to new therapies. 

Such partnerships ensure that treatments meet rigorous safety standards while streamlining approval processes so that life-changing therapies reach patients without unnecessary delays. Maintaining high standards for post-market safety also strengthens public trust and reinforces the resilience of the healthcare system.

Public-private partnerships: Catalysts for innovation

Expanding access to quality healthcare in South Africa demands strong public-private partnerships (PPPs) that leverage both public resources and private sector innovation. 

Collaborative efforts with the Department of Health and other key stakeholders maximise impact by ensuring that resources are effectively allocated and that patients benefit from the latest treatments. These alliances are vital for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) under the National Health Insurance (NHI) framework, helping to ensure that equitable, high-quality healthcare becomes a reality for all.

Closing gaps in rare disease management

For patients with rare diseases, access to treatment is often riddled with obstacles, from limited therapies and high costs to a lack of awareness. Multi-stakeholder collaborations, including advisory boards initiated by organisations such as Rare Diseases South Africa, bring together patients, healthcare professionals, and industry experts to advocate for better support and access to treatments. 

This prioritisation of open communication and patient-centred outcomes offers hope to rare disease patients who, through these partnerships, gain better access to essential treatments and the support they deserve.

Breaking down barriers to innovation

The drive for a more accessible healthcare system also requires addressing policy barriers. Streamlined processes, simpler registration pathways for new drugs, and patient-centred reimbursement policies ensure that patients receive the right treatment at the right time. 

Working alongside policymakers, healthcare providers, and civil society, a concerted effort is being made to create a system in which innovation and equity go hand-in-hand to provide better outcomes and quality of life for all South Africans.

Shaping the future of healthcare

The future of South Africa’s healthcare lies in a system that prioritises patients, breaks down barriers, and capitalises on partnerships to make innovation accessible. 

The call to action is clear: build a healthcare ecosystem that is dynamic, inclusive, and adaptable to ensure that every South African has access to the care they need. By promoting patient voices and ensuring collaboration across sectors, we can transform South Africa’s healthcare system to be more responsive, resilient, and equitable – a system that truly serves its people.

Categories : General InterestTags :

Celebrating Aurélien Breton: A Champion of Patient Access to Innovation in South Africa

On By ModernMedia

In a world where healthcare challenges are evolving at an unprecedented pace, innovative leadership has become the cornerstone of transformative progress. 

Visionaries such as Aurélien Breton exemplify this dynamic approach, blending passion with strategic insight to drive meaningful change. By placing patient wellbeing at the heart of their mission, these leaders are not merely navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape, but redefining it. 

Their commitment to advancing patient access and optimising care underscores a powerful message: that true leadership in healthcare is about more than just responding to current needs, but anticipating future demands and crafting solutions that elevate the quality of life for patients around the globe.

For nearly five years, Aurélien has been a driving force within the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA), serving as a cornerstone of the Executive Committee and leading the Patient Access to Innovation (PAI) Working Group. 

His journey with IPASA reflects a deep commitment to improving patient access to life-saving medicines, tackling the significant challenges within South Africa’s healthcare system, and advocating for those most in need.

“For me, being a part of IPASA means engaging in a collective effort that extends beyond personal or corporate interests to enhance the broader healthcare landscape in South Africa,” says Aurélien.

A native of France and current Managing Director of Southern and Eastern Africa at Servier, Aurélien’s passion for healthcare brought him to South Africa in 2019 driven by a desire to contribute to something greater than himself and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all South African patients. 

“I am a firm believer that a true leader is someone who wakes up every morning driven by a deep sense of purpose. For me, that purpose is ensuring access to innovative medicines for those who need them most. Our work in providing medicines transcends mere numbers; it profoundly impacts the lives of patients and their families, enhancing their quality of life and serving a greater purpose beyond business,” he adds.

While Aurélien’s role has evolved since joining IPASA, his mission has remained constant – to address barriers to patient access and help patients benefit from innovative medicines. Under his leadership, the PAI Working Group has engaged key stakeholders, including government bodies, medical schemes, and patient advocacy groups, to improve access to innovative treatments. 

Aurélien admits that despite engaging with all relevant stakeholders, progress has been sluggish. He attributes this to the healthcare environment at large, where excessive processes and regulations dilute responsibilities and hinder effective action. 

“Constructing a path to improvement is challenging due to unresponsiveness and barriers, including a lack of urgency from some stakeholders and uncertainty surrounding the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. This has slowed efforts to enhance patient access to life-saving medicines. We must focus on refining the existing system rather than waiting for a complete overhaul.”

Despite these challenges, including others such as infrastructure, access to innovative medicines and their associated high costs, Aurélien and the team have made significant strides. Most notably, the Group has been instrumental in fostering strong engagement between medical schemes, the Council for Medical Schemes, patient advocacy groups, and others; while several prominent medical schemes, such as Discovery Health and Medscheme have entered into agreements that could improve access to innovative medicines in the future. 

Aurélien is quick to credit the collective efforts and dedication of the PAI Working Group for the progress achieved during his tenure, acknowledging their willingness to invest time and energy in something greater than themselves. He recognises the significant long-term commitment required, noting the burdensome and relentless nature of the work, which can lead to discouragement or frustration. Despite facing hurdles, the PAI Working Group has met these with resilience and determination to drive progress and effect meaningful change.

While Aurélien has helped achieve significant strides in improving patient access across the South African healthcare landscape, he is eager to broaden his impact by extending his expertise to other countries where he will continue his work in improving patient access.  

“While I am sad to be moving from South Africa, I believe I have helped set the foundation for change in the country. Even though the registration of innovative medicines has improved, access to these potentially life-saving medicines and increasing the public visibility of patient voices remains a challenge. I implore everyone involved to continue working tirelessly to break down these barriers, ensuring that all patients can benefit from the innovations that have the power to transform their lives. The work is far from over, and we must maintain our commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for all,” concludes Aurélien. 

Reflecting on Aurélien’s contributions, Bada Pharasi, CEO at IPASA, adds: “Aurélien’s commitment to improving patient access and healthcare innovation reflects a deep-seated passion for making a tangible difference. As he embarks on this new chapter, we, as IPASA, thank him for his commitment and drive to contribute positively to the healthcare landscape in South Africa. His influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire and impact many in the industry.”