Roche joins the EHC PARTNERS programme
Today Roche becomes the third company to join the European Haemophilia Consortium’s (EHC) innovative programme: Procurement of Affordable Replacement Therapies – Network of European Stakeholders (PARTNERS). This programme aims to improve access to medicines for haemophilia in European countries that do not meet minimum standards of haemophilia care as set by the Council of Europe .
Brian O’Mahony, EHC President: “We are thrilled to see Roche join the PARTNERS programme. Their participation will mean that less developed countries in Europe will have an opportunity to access novel treatment for people affected by inhibitors in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. Further, we are delighted to see a new corporate partner put its trust in our programme and share our vision of enabling better quality of life for many people currently living below the minimum European standard of treatment.”
The PARTNERS programme brings together multiple stakeholders, including national governments, patient organisations, healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry with the objective to improve standards of care for people living with haemophilia A and haemophilia B. Through PARTNERS, governments will be able to purchase larger quantities of quality treatment without immediate or significant increase in their national haemophilia budget. The PARTNERS programme also requires the formal inclusion of both patient representatives and healthcare professionals in the national procurement process in an effort to make the selection process safer and more cost-effective. Finally, the programme encourages fair and transparent competitive purchasing approaches in each PARTNERS country, enabled by all stakeholders involved in the procurement of haemophilia treatment.
The PARTNERS programme was officially launched in November 2017 during an event at the European Parliament and has gathered the support of a number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as well as other patient organisations such as the European Patients’ Forum (EPF) and EURORDIS – Rare Disease Europe.
Cristin Hubbard, responsible for Haemophilia at Roche
“We are proud to be part of the PARTNERS programme and look forward to collaborating with the EHC on this important initiative. Healthcare systems vary greatly across Europe and we are committed to address local healthcare needs to ensure people with haemophilia A can have access to treatments.”
Throughout the implementation of the PARTNERS programme, the EHC will also promote the creation of a national haemophilia committee, the promulgation of national treatment protocols and provide its support to local stakeholders to further improve access to care. This is in line with the European Principles of Haemophilia Care supported by the European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders (EAHAD), the EHC and the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).
About the EHC
The European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) is an umbrella organisation gathering 45 patients’ groups in Europe active in the area of rare bleeding disorder such as haemophilia, von Willebrand Diseases and other rare bleeding disorders thus representing at least 90,000 individuals affected by these rare, life-threatening and congenital disorders. The EHC’s objective is to improve the quality of life of people living with bleeding disorders.
For more information, visit the EHC’s website or follow us on twitter.
About the PARTNERS programme
The Procurement of Affordable Replacement Therapies – Network of European Stakeholders (PARTNERS) programme is a multi-stakeholder programme stemming from the EHC’s objective to ensure adequate supply of- and access to – safe haemophilia treatment products. Through the PARTNERS programme the EHC wishes to tackle the clear disparities in access to treatment for people with haemophilia by ensuring sustainable levels of treatment in European countries with developed healthcare systems but highly limited budgets.
For more information on the PARTNERS programme, visit the EHC website.
About haemophilia
Haemophilia is a set of rare genetic disorders hindering proper blood clotting. If left untreated, haemophilia results in painful bleeds that will damage joints and soft tissues leading to disability and sometimes death. When treatment and comprehensive healthcare services are available, haemophilia can be properly managed and allow affected individuals to live a normal life.
For further information, please contact:
Amanda Bok
amanda.bok@ehc.eu
+32 488 305 012