Transformative Models to Promote Prescription Drug Innovation and Access: A Landscape Analysis

The patent-based pharmaceutical innovation system in the US does not incentivize the development of drugs with the greatest impact on patient or public health. It has also led to drug prices that patients and health care systems cannot afford. Three alternate approaches to promoting pharmaceutical innovation have been proposed to address these shortcomings. Delinkage models involve payments for drug innovation based on public health value rather than on a per-use basis.

Public manufacturing models call upon governments and nonprofit organizations to lead drug discovery, development, and production. Public-private partnership models entail publicly-funded organizations working closely with for-profit partners on drug development and price-setting. Each model exhibits promise in promoting prescription drug innovation and access. This paper reviews these transformative models in detail, examining their key characteristics, advantages, and limitations.