Will Europe dance to the tune the US is playing?
Last year brought seismic changes in drug pricing policy– from President Trump’s Most Favoured Nation policy to the historic change in the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold. But what does 2026 have in store for us? How will Europe respond to US policy and pricing reforms, and what will this mean for patient access and innovation?
It’s crucial that any European response is evidence-based and research-informed as well focusing on the dynamic, long-term impact of policymaking on innovation. This was the basis of OHE’s response to the UK DHSC’s consultation on changes to NICE’s cost-effectiveness threshold. We recommended that there be clearer proposals in place to determine how ministerial changes to the threshold would work in practice, including their scope, frequency, and objectives, and stressed the importance of safeguards to protect NICE’s independence over its methods and procedures.
Our work over the course of this year will continue to analyse and inform these developments in health policy, starting with our 2025 Wrapped Webinar which will focus on policy shifts and predictions that will define the year ahead.
We will also be launching an expert‑led global policy series unpacking how US drug‑pricing reforms are reshaping innovation, access, and value worldwide, providing evidence and insight for industry and policymakers navigating this new landscape. Do watch this space - we look forward to sharing more of our work with you in 2026.
