Between the 14th and 16th of November, CPE’s Policy Officer Josephine Mosset, attended the Access EU 2024 conference in Barcelona, themed on “Addressing challenges impacting Patient Access”. The conference brought together stakeholders from across the healthcare landscape to discuss critical issues affecting patient access to medicines.
One workshop, titled “WS12: How to get ready to submit your EU JCA dossier in a 100-day time frame?”, discussed the complexities of the new EU Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) process and the challenges of preparing dossiers within a tight timeframe.
Josephine played a crucial role in this workshop, championing the importance of patient involvement throughout the entire JCA process. Josephine stressed that patients should contribute not only to the initial scoping phase, where the key questions for assessment (PICO) are defined, but also to the review of evidence, the drafting of assessment reports, and the formulation of final recommendations.
To facilitate meaningful patient involvement, the need for accessible information was highlighted. Josephine echoed CPE’s stance by advocating for the inclusion of plain language summaries (SIPs) in briefing packages, enabling patients to understand the complexities of the technology under assessment. She specifically recommended the International Summary Information for Patient Groups (SIP) template, a tried-and-tested tool developed with extensive patient input.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by patients with oncology products and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), Josephine called for tailored support and training to empower these patients to contribute effectively to PICO development. She emphasised the importance of clear communication channels and transparency to ensure that patient perspectives are genuinely incorporated into the JCA process.
Representing CPE, Josephine’s contribution to the Access EU 2024 workshop provided a vital reminder that patient engagement is not merely a box-ticking exercise, but a crucial element in ensuring that the JCA process is truly patient-centric. By advocating for accessible information, tailored support, and continuous feedback mechanisms, she paved the way for a more inclusive and responsive Health Technology Assessment (HTA) system that prioritises the needs and perspectives of patients.
