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MAP - Market Access Podcast

Dr. Stefan Walzer

Market Access (or alternatively reimbursement) in health care is THE key competence in order to be commercially successful with a new drug, medical device or digital health application. However, given the fact that market access is a complex field involving various disciplines and is an ever-changing field, it is difficult to be up to speed with the different evolvements across the world.

MAP is THE bi-weekly Market Access Podcast provided by MArS Market Access & Pricing Strategy, which is your health care consultancy in the German-speaking markets and allows you to keep up to date with market access , reimbursement and pricing issues in the D-A-CH countries and around the world. With MAP you will get a summary of core market access systems and processes as well as latest changes in regulations including statements and opinions of core decision makers and stakeholders from various countries.

The CEO and founder of MArS is also the driver behind MAP: Dr. Stefan Walzer works in the field of payer strategy, pricing, health economics and reimbursement since 2004 and is the founder and CEO of MArS Market Access & Pricing Strategy GmbH based in Germany. MArS makes it as easy as possible for you to get your Pharmaceutical, MedTech or digital health product to the market and of course get the price it deserves.
Stefan previously worked as a payer consultant for various global pharmaceutical and medical device / diagnostic companies, successfully launching their products across the world. He was the Global Payer Strategy Leader for various products and compounds at F. Hoffmann – La Roche AG, where he successfully developed early payer strategies as well as launching and maintaining the reimbursement process for top brands and early compounds. Stefan is capable in translating the clinical and economic evidence into successful reimbursement submissions and pricing negotiations especially in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Additionally he teaches market access, pricing and negotiations at the State University of Baden-Wuerttemberg and the University of Applied Sciences Weingarten-Ravensburg (both Germany).
Besides other roles and responsibilities. Stefan was the head of the committee “Inpatient care” of the German Health Economic Association (DGGÖ). Furthermore he is also a member of the Austrian Health Economic Association (ATHEA) and the Swiss Health Economic Association (SGGÖ). Additionally, he is a member of the Access Advisory Committee of the Global Pneumonia Prevention Coalition.
Stefan received a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Tuebingen (Germany), a PhD in Health Economics from the University of Zurich (Switzerland) and a post-graduate diploma in Clinical Trials from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK). He is co-author of more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific articles and more than 300 scientific abstracts.

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S1 · E122
Yesterday · 45 min
Can US GLOBE and GUARD Models Really Lower Drug Prices, Brittany La Couture?
When the US benchmarks drug prices against other countries, the whole world feels it. In this episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Brittany La Couture of Applied Policy, a health policy attorney with eight years at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to unpack the US “most favored nation” approach to drug pricing and the three CMMI models behind it: GENEROUS, GLOBE and GUARD. They discuss why providers and patients may carry the cost, why Brittany sees the models as a tax on manufacturers rather than a price cut, and whether launch delays in Europe point to a more fragmented global market. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts — and if you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS — and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #DrugPricing #MostFavoredNation #MFN #GLOBEModel #GUARDModel #CMMI #HealthPolicy #HealthEconomics #Pharma #PricingStrategy #MAPPodcast
S1 · E121
October 1 · 41 min
What Will It Take to Keep Biotech Growing in Europe, Rainer Westermann?
In this episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Rainer Westermann, Chairman of the Life Sciences Acceleration Alliance (LSAA), to ask whether Europe can remain a globally competitive home for life sciences innovation — and what has to change for new therapies to reach patients. Bringing an investor's lens, Rainer explains why so many promising European companies scale in the US instead: the "valley of death" between great science and a viable business, the shortage of productive growth capital, the absence of a deep, liquid capital market, and the drag of long timelines, fragmented member-state systems, and cost-containment-first thinking. They also unpack the ripple effects of the US Most Favored Nation policy, the patent cliff, and why patients — who are also voters — belong at the center of the debate. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #LifeSciences #Biotech #VentureCapital #PharmaInnovation #HealthcareInvestment #EuropeanUnion #MFN #MarketAccessStrategy #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E120
September 15 · 39 min
How Do You Build a High-Performing Team in Pharma, Dr. Maurice Kléber?
In this episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Dr. Maurice Kléber to explore what building a winning team really takes — drawing on 18 years of leadership and a shared love of ice hockey. They discuss why trust and psychological safety are the foundation of any high-performing team, how role clarity and shared accountability turn a group of individuals into a unit, and why talent alone never wins — culture does. Along the way, Dr. Maurice shares the analogies he uses to make leadership tangible, from ships in a storm to aligned waves. A must-listen for leaders in pharma, market access, and beyond. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts — and if you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS — and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #Leadership #PharmaLeadership #HighPerformingTeams #WinningMindset #CellTherapy #Pharma #IceHockey #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E119
September 1 · 38 min
Where Does AI Really Add Value in Market Access, Dr. Seye Abogunrin?
Everyone wants AI to click the button for them — the real question is whether you still need to click it at all. In this episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Dr. Seye Abogunrin, a health economist at Roche, Switzerland, to move AI in market access from experimentation to execution. They explore where AI adds real value today — drafting dossier text, screening titles and abstracts, extracting data from full-text papers — and why out-of-the-box prompting isn't enough. Seye makes the case that AI delivers strong first drafts, not submission-ready evidence, and that the human must stay "in the lead" for scientific rigor and credibility. They also unpack the real blockers at scale — change management, compliance, and data leakage — and why fully leveraging AI may mean overhauling our processes, not just speeding them up. The conversation also looks at how to identify the use cases that are genuinely worth scaling, rather than adopting AI for the sake of it. And as AI becomes more capable, the bigger opportunity may be to rethink how market access work gets done — not simply to make existing processes faster. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts — and if you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS — and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #HealthEconomics #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #AIinHealthcare #HEOR #EvidenceSynthesis #HTA #DigitalHealth #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E118
August 15 · 29 min
Why Should Early Health Economics Move Upstream, Dr. Björn Schwander & Julie Frappier?
By the time most health economists get pulled in, the recipe is already set. In this episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with two industry veterans — Dr. Björn Schwander, Founder of AHEAD GmbH and a specialist in early health economic modeling, and Julie Frappier, senior health economist and Founder of TOWWERS — to make the case for moving early health economics upstream. The conversation reframes value as more than a financial number: the combination of clinical relevance, economic relevance, and affordability, aligned early across the "five Ps" — patients, prescribers, policymakers, payers, and producers. Björn and Julie explain why early models should be deliberately simple, built to test scenarios and surface the strongest value signals rather than chase false precision, and why embracing uncertainty is a feature, not a flaw. They also tackle the implementation risk too often ignored — illustrated by a CAR-T case in Quebec where it took a full year to treat the first patient after approval — and why an early "no-go" can be just as valuable as a green light. LinkedIn: Dr. Björn Schwander https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjoern-schwander-phd-672040b/ Julie Frappier https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-frappier-b5642a3/ #MarketAccess #HealthEconomics #HEOR #EarlyModeling #RealWorldEvidence #HealthEconomicModeling #HTA #ValueBasedHealthcare #Reimbursement #MedTech #DigitalHealth #mAxInsights #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E117
August 1 · 34 min
How Are Data Privacy Laws Delaying Patient Access to New Treatments, Douglas Drake and Adam Skali? (Repost)
This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP - Market Access Podcast, from March 1st 2025. In this episode of MAP, Dr. Stefan Walzer, together with experts Douglas Drake and Adam Skali, unpacks the complexities of how GDPR regulations affect real-world evidence, cross-border studies, and market access in Europe. The discussion highlights data privacy challenges, delays in commercialization, and the future of healthcare data regulation. Learn more about how data privacy laws create barriers for cross-border studies, delaying access to life-saving treatments, and how companies can navigate these hurdles and optimize market entry strategies. Can Europe find a balance between data privacy and innovation? Tune in to explore the challenges, solutions, and what’s next for healthcare in the EU. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts — and if you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS — and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #GDPR, #MarketAccess, #Real-WorldEvidence, #HealthcareData, #Pharma, #MedTech, #Cross-BorderStudies #mAxInsights #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E116
July 15 · 33 min
How Did MFN Turn Swiss Pricing into an Industrial Policy Problem, Dr. Marcel Boller?
When Bern sets a price, Washington now listens. In this episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Dr. Marcel Boller, Pharma and Medtech Expert and Partner at Werder Viganò in Zurich, to unpack why Swiss pricing reform has shifted from a reimbursement question into an industrial policy one. With Switzerland now in the US "Most Favored Nation" (MFN) reference basket, every price negotiated with the BAG (Swiss Federal Office of Public Health) signals straight to US payers. They discuss why fast Swissmedic approvals are undercut by slow reimbursement negotiations, and how the "local matador" concentration of power at the BAG leaves Switzerland without an independent HTA function. The Lilly Mounjaro case says it all: frozen for nearly two years, then listed on 1 January 2026 — just weeks after an MFN deal in the US. Yet Marcel's bottom line is optimistic: few countries can truly afford a high-quality healthcare system — and Switzerland could turn that into global leadership on patient access. LinkedIn: Dr. Marcel Boller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-Boller-/) Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts — and if you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS — and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #HealthEconomics #HTA #MFN #Switzerland #Swissmedic #PharmaPolicy #PricingAndReimbursement #PatientAccess #MostFavoredNation #mAxInsights #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E115
July 1 · 32 min
Is the EU "Launch Obligation" Really as Scary as It Sounds, Dr. Alexander Natz?
In the latest episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Dr. Alexander Natz, Secretary-General of EUCOPE, to unpack the biggest regulatory shifts reshaping pharmaceutical market access across Europe right now. They discuss how the EU Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) now starts national HTA timelines as soon as a marketing authorization is filed, why the so-called "launch obligation" is far from compulsory licensing, and how MFN pricing pressure from the US is forcing companies to rethink launch sequencing across Europe. Alexander also explains why comparator selection (PICO schemes) is the real battleground for national pricing outcomes, and why the European Health Data Space could become one of Europe's biggest competitive assets. Despite the added complexity, Alexander's bottom line is clear: Europe's scale, clinical networks, and regulatory innovation still make it a market worth prioritizing — if companies understand the new rules of the game. A must-listen for anyone in pharma, biotech, market access, or pricing and reimbursement navigating Europe's shifting launch strategy. LinkedIn: Alexander Natz Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #HealthEconomics #HTA #JCA #PharmaPolicy #EUHealthPolicy #MFN #Pharma #PricingAndReimbursement #LaunchStrategy #EuropeanHealthDataSpace #EUCOPE #mAxInsights #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E114
June 15 · 37 min
Dynamic Rebates, Drug Tenders & AMNOG: Is Germany Rewriting the Rules for Pharma, Thomas Hammerschmidt?
Tune in to the newest episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, where Dr. Stefan Walzer engages in an insightful discussion with Prof. Dr. Thomas Hammerschmidt, a leading expert in Pharmaceutical Management at the Technical University of Applied Sciences (TH Rosenheim) in Bavaria. Together, they explore the latest proposals influencing AMNOG, pharmaceutical pricing, reimbursement, and market access. Topics include dynamic mandatory rebates, patented drug tenders, price-volume agreements, and their potential consequences for pharmaceutical companies operating in Germany. The removal of combination rebates and AMNOG guardrails could foster greater innovation incentives. The key takeaway? Pharma companies must brace themselves for heightened pricing pressures, increased uncertainty, and a transformed reimbursement landscape. For teams focused on market access, pricing, and commercialization, the upcoming weeks could shape the reimbursement environment for years to come. The critical question: Can Germany balance healthcare cost containment while maintaining incentives for pharmaceutical innovation and investment? Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #Pharma #AMNOG #HealthcarePolicy #GermanyPharmaReform #PricingAndReimbursement #PatentedDrugTenders #PharmaceuticalIndustry #Germany #HealthEconomics #MarketAccessPodcast #LifeSciences #HealthcareInnovation #mAxInsights #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E113
June 8 · 36 min
Wie finanziert Deutschland Gesundheitsinnovation, ohne den Patientenzugang zu gefährden, Afschin Gandjour?
In der deutschsprachigen Spezialfolge des MAP – Market Access Podcast spricht Dr. Stefan Walzer mit Prof. Dr. Afschin Gandjour, Arzt, Gesundheitsökonom und Finanzexperte, über eine der zentralen gesundheitspolitischen Fragen dieser Wochen: Was bedeuten Finanzkommission und Referentenentwurf konkret für den Arzneimittelmarkt? Reicht ein dynamischer Herstellerabschlag – oder braucht es Kosten‑Nutzen-Analysen? Wo drohen Fehlanreize für innovative Arzneimittel, insbesondere Orphan Drugs, und welche Rolle spielen vertrauliche Rabatte und internationale Referenzpreise? Wer im Pharmazeutischen Markt, Market Access oder Gesundheitspolitik unterwegs ist und verstehen muss, wie Deutschland Innovation finanzieren und Versorgung sichern kann, für diejenigen ist diese Episode ein Pflichtprogramm. Bleiben Sie auf dem Laufenden, indem Sie den Podcast auf Ihrer bevorzugten Podcast-Plattform abonnieren oder direkt auf unserer Website anhören: MAP Podcasts – und wenn euch die Folge gefallen hat, vergesst nicht, sie und den Podcast zu bewerten! MAP ist der erste und einzige zweiwöchentliche Podcast zum Thema Marktzugang, der von MArS angeboten wird – und der weltweit führende Podcast im Bereich Gesundheitsökonomie. Weitere Informationen zu MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy finden Sie unter: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #PharmazeutischenMarkt #Gesundheitsökonomie #Gesundheitspolitik #HealthEconomics #Finanzkommission #Arzneimittelpolitik #GesundheitspolitikDE #Herstellerabschlag #KostenNutzenAnalyse #GKVStabilisierung #mAxInsights #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E112
June 1 · 39 min
What lessons can Market Access teams learn from an Olympic medalist, Livia Altmann?
From Olympic ice to AI-powered leadership: What can Market Access teams learn from elite sports? In the 111+1 anniversary episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer interviews Livia Altmann, a former Swiss Olympic ice hockey player who has transitioned into a leadership and "Human Intelligence 2.0" expert. Together, they explore how mental training, consistency, and energy management drive success in both elite sports and the business world—and why, in an AI-driven era, execution outshines knowledge. Livia shares insights on how leaders can use AI as an enabler rather than a replacement. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining control through a growth mindset, unwavering focus under pressure, and strong self-awareness to build trust, align teams, and make better decisions. If you're part of the Market Access, life sciences, or healthcare industries and want your team to thrive under pressure in the age of AI, this is a conversation you won't want to miss! Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #Pharma #HealthEconomics# #Medtech #DigitalHealth #AI #mAxInsights #HumanIntelligence #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast #HumanIntelligence2_0 #HumanAICollaboration #AIEnabledLeadership #EliteSportsMindset #OlympicWinner #PowerSkills #HighPerformingTeams #MarketAccessLeadership
S1 · E111
May 15 · 30 min
How Are UK NICE and US IRA/MFN Rewriting Global Pharma Pricing, Sreeram Ramagopalan?
In the latest episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer speaks with Sreeram Ramagopalan, a global expert at the intersection of biotech value, HTA, real‑world evidence and market access. Together they unpack how the UK NICE threshold increase (from £20–30k to £25–35k per QALY) and US reforms (IRA, MFN) are quietly rewriting the rules for global launch sequencing and pricing strategy. They discuss why the US is no longer an isolated “free pricing” island, how UK and EU prices can now feed back into US revenues, and why small and mid‑size biotechs, in particular, can no longer afford to treat US and ex‑US strategies as separate worlds. If you’re in pharma/biotech, pricing & market access or RWE, and you’re not yet stress‑testing your global evidence, price floors and launch plan against MFN and NICE reforms, this episode is your wake‑up call. https://becarispublishing.com/doi/10.57264/cer-2026-0041 Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #HealthEconomics #HealthPolicy #HealthcareFinance #HealthFinancing #HealthInvestment #NICEReform #IRAPricing #MFNPolicy #BiotechValueCreation #GlobalLaunchStrategy #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E110
May 1 · 38 min
How Can Europe Move from Innovation Paradox to Powerhouse, Cuno Moser?
In the latest episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer engages with Swiss healthcare strategist Cuno Moser to explore Europe's "innovation paradox" in healthcare. Despite its strengths in research, data quality, and clinical expertise, Europe struggles to transform pilot projects into scalable, reimbursable solutions. With over 27 fragmented reimbursement systems in the EU and in Switzerland, significant barriers impede progress in digital health, medtech, and AI-driven care. Beyond funding, challenges such as misaligned incentives, insufficient execution infrastructure, and flawed system design keep innovation stuck in "pilot purgatory." Looking ahead, while Europe may not lead in speed, it has the opportunity to excel in quality and trust. This could allow European health platforms to establish a competitive edge. If you're involved in digital health, medtech, AI, or market access and find your solution stalled between a promising pilot and real-world scalability, this episode is a must-listen. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7437804838232453120/ Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #Pharma #EuropeanHealthcare #Medtech #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #mAxInsights #FromPilotToScale #InnovationParadox #ScalingHealthInnovation #QualityOverSpeed #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E109
April 15 · 38 min
Are primary research platforms adapting to payer dynamics, Shrutya Bhalla?
In the latest episode of the MAP – Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer speaks with pricing and access expert Shrutya Bhalla about how primary research must evolve in an era of AI, policy shocks, and accelerating market complexity. The key takeaway: high‑quality primary research is no longer just about collecting insights – it must enable real strategic choices on pricing, access, launch sequencing, and evidence generation. This means moving from slow, static projects to continuous, platform‑driven, AI‑supported research, using AI for speed, automation and better hypotheses while keeping humans firmly in the lead for judgment, context and responsibility, and building research that is robust enough for MFN, new US tariffs, and fast‑changing global policy environments. Shrutya also shares how new stakeholder research platforms like Mulya, and innovations such as Market Access 4.0 tools like mAxInsights, DO-Bo, Q-Bo and Wafle, are redefining how we run payer research: faster, more economical, and closer to real‑time decision needs. If you work in market access, pricing, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) or commercialization, this episode is a must‑listen to understand where primary research is headed. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #PricingAndReimbursement #PrimaryResearch #GlobalHealth #Mulya #mAxInsights #DO-Bo #Q-Bo #Wafle #Pharma #AIinHealthcare #PayerInsights #CommercialStrategy #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E108
April 1 · 40 min
How Can Political Leadership Turn Health into an Economic Priority, Hatice Küçük Benton?
In this episode of the MAP – Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer speaks with Hatice Küçük Beton, Executive Director of the G20 Health and Development Partnership, about how to make global health truly investable – and keep it on the political agenda once the immediate crisis fades. They explore why high-level leadership, from Angela Merkel’s role during Germany’s G20 presidency to Japan’s joint health–finance initiative, was crucial in moving health from a “social cost” to a strategic economic and security issue. Hatice explains how bringing health and finance ministers to the same table – and getting them to speak the same financial language – has begun to reshape thinking around budgets, risk and long‑term system resilience. The conversation then dives into what a practical health investment framework could look like, with clear positive qualifiers, benchmarks and disqualifiers to guide capital into high-impact areas without overburdening investors with new bureaucracy. Hatice and Stefan discuss why health must be de‑politicised and reframed as a pillar of economic resilience, geopolitical security and human wellbeing – not a “nice to have” public service – and why returns on health investments should not be taboo. If you work in market access, health economics, policy, pharma, medtech or healthcare investment, this episode offers concrete ideas on how smarter, market‑driven health investment can shape global and national health systems by 2030. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #GlobalHealth #G20 #HealthEconomics #HealthInvestment #HealthFinancing #HealthPolicy #HealthcareFinance #G20Health #ImpactInvesting #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E107
March 15 · 34 min
Is Europe Still More Attractive Than the US, China, India or MENA for Medtech Investment, Bernard Bichsel?
In the latest Market Access Podcast episode, host Stefan Walzer sits down with Bernard “Bernie” Bichsel – one of Europe’s most experienced voices in medtech regulation and former Head of the Medical Devices Division at Swissmedic – to unpack how regulation and market access truly fit together. They discuss why medical device regulation in Europe is still young compared to pharma, why the MDR/IVDR “notified body bottleneck” is largely yesterday’s problem, and how smart startups build regulatory timelines, costs, and clinical evidence into their plans from day one. They then zoom out to Omnibus, the AI Act, and geopolitics, and what all of this means for the attractiveness of Europe vs. the US, China, India, and the rapidly growing Arabic region as medtech markets. Despite the challenges, Europe still offers world‑class innovation, strong universities, and a powerful SME ecosystem – and remains a key region for medtech investment. If you’re a medtech founder, regulatory lead, or market access professional, this episode will help you rethink when and how you integrate regulation and reimbursement into your strategy. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #MedTech #MDR #IVDR #RegulatoryAffairs #HealthEconomics #medtech #medtechregulation #Reimbursement #Startups #EUHealthcare #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E106
March 1 · 39 min
From Necessary Tasks to New Insights: How Can AI Act as a Sparring Partner in Market Access, Helmut Butscher?
In this episode, Stefan Walzer talks with experienced Market Access manager Helmut Butscher about concrete AI applications across the full Market Access value chain. They explore how AI accelerates systematic literature reviews, unlocks real‑world evidence from complex data sources, supports HTA dossier preparation, and enables smarter decisions on pricing, reimbursement and global launch sequencing. They also address the limits and risks of AI in a highly regulated setting – from opaque HTA and payer decisions to regulatory uncertainty around AI‑generated evidence and the ethical tension between efficiency and fairness in health technology assessment. Stefan and Helmut then look ahead to the evolving role of the Market Access manager – not as someone replaced by algorithms, but as a central orchestrator who uses AI as a powerful sparring partner to make better, faster and more transparent decisions. Whether you work in Market Access, HEOR, pricing, strategy or related fields, this episode offers a clear, practice‑oriented view on how to start using AI meaningfully in your daily work – and where it pays to remain cautious. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #OrphanDrugs #RareDisease #DrugPricing #HealthEconomics #CostEffectiveness #BudgetImpact #RealWorldEvidence #InnovativeContracting #GeneTherapy #HealthcarePolicy #Payers #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E105
February 15 · 52 min
Can Innovative Contracting Turn High‑Cost Therapies into Sustainable Deals, Omar Ali?
In this thought‑provoking Market Access Podcast episode, host Stefan Walzer sits down with Omar Ali – Head of Payers at Vipora, former NICE advisor, and one of the sharpest minds in drug pricing and innovative contracting to unpack where drug pricing and reimbursement are really heading. They explore why cost‑effectiveness thresholds are making market access tougher than ever, how uncertainty around CAR‑T, gene therapies and orphan drugs fuels the “orphan bubble”, how innovative contracting and pay‑for‑performance can (sometimes) rescue multi‑million‑euro therapies and why the US is doing HTA at the end, not the beginning – with CMS negotiations, MFN and tariffs reshaping global pricing strategies. If you work in Market Access, pricing, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) or policy, this conversation will resonate with the pressures you feel every day. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #OrphanDrugs #RareDisease #DrugPricing #HealthEconomics #CostEffectiveness #BudgetImpact #RealWorldEvidence #InnovativeContracting #GeneTherapy #HealthcarePolicy #Payers #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E104
February 1 · 42 min
What Makes Australia’s HTA Approach to Equity and Health Productivity Unique, Zanfina Ademi?
In this Market Access Podcast episode, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Prof. Zanfania Ademi, a health economist at Monash University, to explore how Australia’s healthcare system is tackling key issues in market access and health technology assessment. Discover how Australia blends international approaches and new methods being developed by Zanfina and her team like distributional cost-effectiveness and productivity-adjusted life years to advance equity and value in healthcare. Tune in for fresh insights on health as an investment, not just a cost, and what’s next for decision-makers. Key takeaways from the episode include the shift from qualitative to quantitative measures of equity in HTA, and the use of complex disease models and real-world evidence to drive smarter prevention strategies. The discussion also covers the growing recognition of both paid and unpaid work in productivity metrics, along with lessons from Switzerland on disinvestment, transparency, and the challenges of implementing new value measures in healthcare. Perfect for professionals in market access, health economics, and policy. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #HTA #Reimbursement #HealthEquity #Productivity #HealthcareInnovation #Australia #HealthEconomics #Prevention #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast
S1 · E103
January 15 · 34 min
No Decisions for Us, Without Us: Why Patient Advocacy Matters in Market Access, Erica Bersin?
In this episode of the Market Access Podcast, Erica Bersin—founder of ERO Health Communications—joins Dr. Stefan Walzer to discuss the changing role of patient involvement in healthcare. Drawing on her experience in both Europe and the U.S., Erica explains how single-payer systems make patient engagement easier, while the U.S. faces more challenges but also unique advocacy opportunities. She highlights the work of organizations like PCORI and the need for better data transparency. The episode features real-world examples from HIV/AIDS and breast cancer advocacy, as well as pharma’s efforts to involve patients in clinical trials. Erica’s personal story with multiple sclerosis underscores why every patient’s voice matters. Tune in for a hopeful look at how patients can help shape future healthcare decisions. Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate it and the podcast! MAP is the first and only bi-weekly market access podcast provided by MArS—and the global #1 podcast in the field of health economics. For more information about MArS Market Access and Pricing Strategy, visit: https://marketaccess4-0.com/ #MarketAccess #PatientEngagement #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalAdvocacy #HealthEconomics #Pharma #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareDecisions #MAPPodcast #marketaccess #marketaccesspodcast

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