From The CEO: Enhancing The Accessibility And Affordability Of Healthcare

By Rob Abbott, CEO & Executive Director, ISPOR

The March/April 2025 issue of Value & Outcomes Spotlight explores the urgent global health crisis of accessibility and affordability, highlighting the plight of nearly 2 billion individuals who lack essential medicines. This issue underscores that health inequities extend beyond low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to high-income regions like the U.S. and Canada, where many forgo necessary medications due to prohibitive costs. The article examines the exacerbating effects of social determinants such as poverty and discrimination in LMICs, alongside the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases on fragile health systems.

While some pharmaceutical companies are making efforts to improve access, significant barriers remain, as evidenced by stagnation in licensing activities and a concentration of clinical trials in wealthier nations. In addressing U.S. challenges, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 introduces measures for Medicare beneficiaries, yet broader solutions are essential. The role of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) is emphasized as pivotal in generating real-world evidence and facilitating patient engagement. The issue calls for collaborative efforts among ISPOR leadership, members, and partners to implement a strategic plan for 2030, aiming to enhance global access to medical innovations and address these pressing healthcare disparities.