Overview

This discussion paper presents the discussions by one of the two working groups convened in preparation for the Fair Pricing Forum 2021. This working group focused on aligning incentives for pharmaceutical innovation. 14 Three broad topics were discussed where potential reforms could more adequately align incentives to achieve fair pricing:

1. Promoting transparency for accountable medical innovation;
2. Placing access conditions on incentives for innovation; and
3. Making the public sector more effective stewards of innovation and access.

Several limitations should be noted from the outset. This discussion paper, in its brevity, only intends to describe the main issues for discussion and does not represent a consensus on the part of the working group. Any proposed approaches presented are only preliminary drafts intended for stimulating discussions during the Fair Pricing Forum 2021, with a view to advancing discussions and identifying potential solutions and further areas of work to find feasible and sustainable approaches to affordable pricing. The contents are a work-in-progress, not intended to be comprehensive, and do not necessarily represent the World Health Organization’s position or policy.