Introduction

Turkey’s healthcare market access is complex and influenced by various factors, such as socio-economic conditions, government policies, and changing patient demands. The presence of almost 80 million people in the country and complete government healthcare provision offer opportunities for the pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Developments such as inflation, as well as the use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in healthcare evaluations, influence the operational environment. The primary aim of this article is to analyze the current market landscape in Turkey, addressing the opportunities and challenges that companies are confronted with in this dynamic context.

Emerging Trends in Market Access

Inflation and Pricing Pressures

The current inflation rate and the fluctuations of the Turkish lira are the two key aspects, especially for imported medications and medical devices. The government’s reference pricing systems, alongside significant inflation, create challenges in sustaining stable drug prices and affording medicines. Organizations will need to employ more strategic measures to withstand such a tough environment and continue bringing new products to patients.

Adoption of MCDA

Turkey’s Healthcare Market Access landscape is more and more integrating MCDA into the healthcare decision-making processes. This is a method that is common in Europe that supplements the traditional cost-effectiveness analyses by identifying the reimbursement status of new therapies. Recent statutory changes suggest a shift towards incorporating different points of view in the evaluation of innovations.

Digital Health Solutions and Telemedicine

The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up integrating digital health solutions, such as telemedicine, in the healthcare sector. Adoption of a legal framework to reimburse remote consultations has also created room for innovative patient support programs meant to improve treatment adherence with much more emphasis on managing chronic conditions. The role of digital health solutions in ensuring proper healthcare outcomes is gaining prominence.

Patient-Centered Care

There is a significant shift towards a patient-centered approach to care, which is attributed to patients’ increased involvement in decision-making, facilitated by social media and patient groups. Establishing patient support programs is a demonstration of the pharmaceutical or medical device companies’ commitment to a total care approach, their products being just a part of that.

Challenges in Turkey’s Healthcare Market Access

Regulatory Hurdles

Long procedures for market authorization and reimbursement approvals lead to a considerable drop in introducing new therapies. As a result, manufacturers can be demotivated from introducing innovative products, especially with challenging negotiations with payers for pricing and reimbursement.

Out-of-Pocket Expenditures

The rise in out-of-pocket costs for patients is a significant concern for access to essential medications and medical devices. The financial burden falls on the patients, highlighting the necessity for improved private insurance choices to ease the situation. In pursuiting healthcare that is fair to everyone, the adaptability of health insurance products to the patient demand becomes critical.

Market Dynamics

Many global innovator companies encounter countless obstacles while venturing into the Turkish market, such as being required to partner with a local company/distributor or choosing local manufacturing options. The current economic conditions may not be the optimal conditions for investment, especially in the segments where the local generic manufacturers compete among themselves in a race to the bottom.

Future Directions

The healthcare market in Turkey continues to develop and several factors, such as economic conditions, governmental regulations, availability of care, historical and current health systems, and policy changes are the key drivers of this change:

• The need for robust real-world evidence supporting new therapies will grow, enabling companies to demonstrate their products’ value and efficacy more effectively during negotiations with payers.
• Adopting alternative reimbursement schemes may provide new pathways for companies to secure market access and enhance patient availability of innovative therapies.
• Collaborating with patient associations will be critical to addressing accessibility issues and ensuring that patient perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes.

Conclusion

In summary, Turkey’s healthcare market offers a plethora of opportunities for pharmaceutical and medical device companies. However, traversing its complexities necessitates strategic approaches that tackle economic pressures and regulatory challenges. By embracing a patient-centered, evidence-driven framework and adapting to the evolving healthcare policy landscape, companies can position themselves in this growing market. Future investments in innovation and collaboration, alongside ongoing research into specific barriers and facilitators, will be pivotal in driving success within Turkey’s transformative healthcare sector.

Additional Reading