Access Programs are structured initiatives by pharmaceutical companies to introduce HCPs to new medications that are pending regulatory approval or are newly approved but not reimbursed by public funding bodies. Access programs aim to educate HCPs about the new product’s’ proper use, benefits, and potential risks, allowing them to gain practical and clinical experience and, importantly, confidence to prescribe these medications once they become commercially available.
Key aspects of an Access Program:
Education and Training: We provide detailed information and training to HCPs about the new medication, covering its indications, dosing, administration, and potential side effects.
Patient Access: Eligible groups of patients gain access to the medication under the supervision of participating HCPs. This approach can help gather real-world data on the drug’s effectiveness and safety.
Data Collection: Data is critical in this stage of the product’s lifecycle, so key information and insights on the medication’s performance in real-world settings can be valuable for reimbursement, further regulatory submissions, and post-marketing safety surveillance.
Key learnings from working in the Access Space
Intuitive and convenient registration and enrolment
Having designed, developed, and maintained dozens of Access Programs in recent years, we have learned that the key to success is the convenience of use for HCPs. HCPs are pressed for time, so any system that requires duplication of effort when inputting patient data into the Patient Access Program (PAP) software and their own system creates unwanted friction and adds to their already demanding work schedules. Our first design principle is to reduce friction in enabling HCPs to register and enrol their patients and then support HCPs with a simple and secure system and processes to fulfil regulatory, privacy and logistical requirements.
Our multi-function digital platform is efficient and designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. We’ve minimised the number of clicks needed to complete processes, saving valuable time and streamlining the workflow.
Our system is also highly adaptable, able to handle varying patient enrollment numbers with ease. This adaptability is designed to provide a system that can accommodate additional requests, even during periods of rapid enrollment. Our system can also enhance clinical management by authorising clinic nurses to perform specific tasks on behalf of the HCP in the system, maintaining important data privacy at each step.
Our system can also enhance clinical management by authorising clinic nurses to perform specific tasks on behalf of the HCP in the system, maintaining important data privacy at each step.
Incorporating Field force in the execution
As the key players in training and educating HCPs, the field force is often underutilised in the design process of Access Programs and not provided with enough touchpoints to help them gain a deep understanding of the program’s workflow. Their involvement and insights are crucial for the tasks HCPs must complete, and they will be a strong partner in helping to reduce that friction.
Our intensive training and regular check-ins with the field force ensure they are fully versed in the system’s functionality and workflow and boost their confidence and performance.
We develop a comprehensive training portal for the field force, enabling them to understand better and support the tasks and responsibilities of HCPs.
Transitioning to launch
Preparing to transition patients from an access program to a reimbursed supply is a crucial phase that requires careful planning and coordination.At this stage, we work closely with the client’s team to ensure a seamless handover, managing stock levels meticulously to avoid interruptions in patient access.
Our team monitors inventory, aligns with logistics partners, and coordinates with field forces and HCPs to facilitate a smooth transition. This careful management ensures that patients continue receiving consistent support and treatment access, minimising disruption maintaining the program’s momentum and transitioning patients as soon as we possibly can.
Case Study: 2023 Product Program Launch
Brief:
Design an access program for the launch a new product in the Australian Market to maximum HCP real world experience of the product prior to government reimbursement.
Solution:
We designed a fit-for-purpose experience program using our efficient online platform to enable easy HCP registration, and enrolment of eligible patients. This program was further complemented by the in-house creation of informative resources for both HCPs and patients including program guides, patient consent forms, patient handbooks and access to patient support resources.
Our online platform was equipped with a comprehensive compliant back-end system, which provided real-time data and reports, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in communication, support, logistics and delivery.
Results:
The access program saw nearly 1,500 HCPs registered and close to 3000 patients enrolled in a 12-month period, exceeding all client expectations. – Over 50% of patients were grandfathered/transitioned from the program within the first three months of its PBS launch.
Our Access Programs provide a practical, user-friendly, and secure way for healthcare professionals to gain early, real world experience. By combining comprehensive training, efficient data collection, and streamlined patient enrolment, our programs ease HCPs’ administrative loads while ensuring compliance with regulatory and privacy standards. Additionally, our digital platform, supported by a well-trained field force, ensures seamless program management.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you design a successful Access Program,
please contact our Head of Patient Programs, Bree Mckenzie
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Bree McKenzie
Head of Patient Programs
With over 15 years of experience in brand and marketing communications in health and fast-moving consumer goods. Bree has worked across many therapeutic areas. Bree strongly focuses on patient support...
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