Vlerick Healthcare Management Centre

We’re proud of our membership of the Responsible Research in Business and Management (RRBM) network – and the fact that we’re a pioneering school. A great example of how we bring their values to our work is our Organon Technology and Society Research Insights Partnership. It focuses on technologies associated with smart family planning. ‘Women’s health is wealth’ is not only a pressing moral and social issue but also a critical economic challenge. By doing this kind of responsible research, we believe we can contribute to a better understanding of the impact of ‘good’ health technology on society.

Disease-modifying therapies (DMT) are becoming increasingly accessible in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. However, for them to be effective, early diagnosis is crucial. Is the Belgian healthcare infrastructure able to diagnose early enough? There is a high unmet clinical and social need for treatment for this disease. But adopting DMTs may require a transformation of Belgian healthcare practice. This health policy-preparing paper is the result of a Belgian Early Alzheimer Disease Round Table, as well as an anonymised memory clinics survey and a computer simulation. Through dialogue with all stakeholders, it presents workable solutions for expensive but curing therapies.

Although it seems counterintuitive, our research indicates that without confidential price agreements, lower income countries will pay up to 12% higher prices for innovative medicines that richer countries. They also gain access to them far later than richer countries. These are the findings of a simulation model, developed by Vlerick Business School, in partnership with the IMT School for Advanced Studies in Lucca, Italy. They challenge the assumption that total price transparency leads to more competition, lower prices for all – and greater availability of these medicines for more people.

Horizon scanning is understood to be an important part of a demand-driven healthcare system. This policy paper proposes a two-stage approach to the national scanning process. If adopted, the proposals would lead to better management of healthcare budgets – particularly in an environment where innovative, high-cost therapies are likely to emerge. The paper suggests a pilot in Belgium.