The EAHP Board, elected for three-year terms, oversees the association’s activities. Comprising directors responsible for core functions, it meets regularly to implement strategic goals. Supported by EAHP staff, the Board controls finances, coordinates congress organization, and ensures compliance with statutes and codes of conduct.
BIG ECONOMIC GAIN IN IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR WET AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION, DIABETIC MACULAR OEDEMA AND RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION
European Statement
Selection, Procurement and Distribution
Why was it done?
The consumption of medicine for the treatment of wAMD, DME and RVO is increasing. The medicines used are in the top five of the most expensive drugs in Denmark. With the prospect of more patients, greater costs and the introduction of new drugs in the field, there was a need to develop a national treatment guideline.
What was done?
An expert committee prepared a national treatment guideline including a clinical medicine comparison report for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), diabetic macular oedema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The aim was to create uniform treatment across the country and to trigger competition between medicines in the hope of achieving lower prices.
How was it done?
An expert committee consisting of physicians, clinical pharmacist, clinical pharmacologist and medicine procurement pharmacist was appointed. The committee prepared a national treatment guideline including a clinical medicine comparison report based on existing clinical evidence and Danish practice. The committee reached the conclusion that the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs ranibizumab and aflibercept are ranked equally in terms of effect and side effects. The choice of anti-VEGF should be determined solely by price and dosage. A tender was prepared in alignment with the guidelines. This result led to the development of a medicine recommendation, which was passed onto hospital pharmacies, clinical pharmacists and physicians to ensure implementation in the clinic. Feedback from the clinics concerning estimated consumption was forwarded to the drug suppliers and was continuously monitored by the procurement pharmacist to ensure compliance at the clinics.
What has been achieved?
The clinicians switched patients to the new first-line choice. The market share of first-line treatment was 89% compared to 25% before the guideline. Two tenders were published based on the guideline. The first resulted in a price reduction of 28%, the second a reduction of 54%. Total actual savings in the first tender (based on a 31-month contract period) was €38m. In the second tender (based on the first 12 months of the contract period) was €35m.
What next?
New medicines are expected to be approved in the near future. We will continue to use and develop national treatment guidelines in combination with tender procedures and proper implementation of guidelines to obtain better and cheaper treatment options for patients.