Prescription for Better Access

With pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers launching more high-cost specialty drugs and the insurance industry increasing the use of more restricti…
Oct 17th, 2025 | 00:00

Charting a Path Forward for More Patient-Centered Value Assessment Methods

In this episode, we talk with Richard Xie, Senior Health Economist at RA Capital, and Gunnar Esiason, Senior Director of Patient Engagement at Raven (RA Capital Ventures), about value frameworks in pharma. We unpack how Generalized Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (GCEA) builds on traditional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) and differs from ICER’s model. The conversation explores what these approaches mean for pricing, access, and patient voice—especially in rare and high-innovation settings.

Through the Cidara CD388 flu drug case, we discuss how assumptions shape value and trade-offs from manufacturer and patient perspectives. The episode highlights how evidence, incentives, and outcomes align—or conflict—in today’s system, and what reforms could better connect value frameworks to affordability and equitable access.

Questions or comments? Email comments@prescriptionforbetteraccess.com.

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