Data access, a driver of innovation in the biophanrmaceutical sector: a focus on rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The World Health Organization recognizes health data and access to medicines as key ingredients for a well-functioning health system, alongside governance, human resources, infrastructure and financing. Considering the interaction and interdependencies across the various components of the health system, decision makers would need to focus on data trends from different sources within the healthcare system in order to draw instructive lessons to improve health. This is particularly true in the biopharmaceutical industry where safety, efficacy and effectiveness of medicines is a paramount consideration. Collaboration among different stakeholders to improve data access is vital in generating the much needed evidence to drive innovation across the healthcare system. Notably, the biopharmaceutical industry could leverage improved access to data to accelerate discovery of novel medicines, maximize the potential for clinical and commercial success of products and ensure improved access to effective. The shift towards value based care has seen increased demand for data, which has led to the emergence of different models for data access, ranging from data vendors to federations of multiple stakeholders, working jointly to improve the evidence base for decision making. In various settings, federated models, have particularly demonstrated useful attributes that are essential in promoting broader data access within the healthcare ecosystem. However, development of data access models should not be seen as a destination but as a process that is to be continually improved and adapted to meet the needs and demands of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Overall, this process should be intimately anchored on the primary objective of improving patient health.