Delivering a comprehensive database of drug prices in Europe
A multidisciplinary team from PA Consulting Group worked with the European Pricing Group to realise its vision of a drug pricing and reimbursement database. In accordance with PA's 'insight to implementation' philosophy, our pharma and information systems experts saw the project right through from feasibility study to delivery of the solution and roll-out.
The most challenging aspect was the standardisation of data from multiple formats and languages so that it could be loaded into the database in ready-to-use form. Wherever possible, the PA team developed automated aids to conversion, but over 50,000 lines of data had first to be painstakingly analysed.
Success here resulted from the assembly of a team with in-depth industry and scientific knowledge, foreign language skills, and a lot of determination. Close collaboration and ongoing communication between consultancy and key stakeholders kept the client in the driving seat throughout. PA’s 'Adaptive Delivery Methodology' ensured that benefits were realised early on: there was a usable system, complete with the first tranche of data, after just three months.
With pricing information readily to hand in its new database, the client saved substantial research time during the first few months of use. It is anticipated that the system will help the company get drugs to market more quickly and could contribute to more favourable pricing agreements.
“I looked up a drug on the system the other day and it took me minutes to get an answer – before we had the system I’d have had to wait two weeks”
Client Pricing Director
