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Driving the future of value-based healthcare in the Gulf Cooperation Council: a roadmap for achieving sustainable access to specialty pharmaceuticals

Author

Listed:
  • Anas Hamad

    (Hamad Medical Corporation [Doha, Qatar])

  • Ahmed Al-Jedai

    (College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.)

  • Rita Ojeil

    (Life Sciences Solution, PDC-CRO, Dubai)

  • Abdulrazaq Sheikh Al-Jazairi

    (King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.)

  • Adel Alassy

    (Pharmaceuticals Supply Chain Management, M42 Health, Abu Dhabi)

  • Yazed S Alruthia

    (College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.)

  • Waiel Al Naeem

    (Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE.)

  • Hajer Almudaiheem
  • Mouza Alsaadi

    (Dubai Health Authority (DHA), LIRAES (URP_ 4470) - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Appliquée en Economie de la Santé - UPCité - Université Paris Cité)

  • Nada Alagil
  • Lina Wahba

    (مستشفى توام - Tawam Hospital [Al Ain, United Arab Emirates])

  • Abdulmohsin Marghalani

    (KFSH & RC - King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre)

  • Amna Al Hashar

    (Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre, Muscat, Oman.)

  • Abdullah O Alshehry

    (Pharmacy Services Administration, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.)

  • Sana Alblooshi

    (مستشفى توام - Tawam Hospital [Al Ain, United Arab Emirates])

  • Ibtisam Alharbi
  • Marleine Bejjani Moukarzel

    (Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City [Abu-Dhabi])

  • Sara Albalushi

    (Ministry of Health [Muscat, Oman])

  • Ahmed M El-Sheashaey
  • Mohammed A Aseeri

    (KSAU-HS - King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences [Riyadh])

  • Farid Alenezy
  • Fathea Adheir

    (Sidra Medicine [Doha, Qatar])

  • Abdulrahman Aloumi

    (Ministry of Health, Kuwait.)

  • Rehab Alnoaimi
  • Khalid A Alnaqbi

Abstract

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are undergoing a critical transformation in their healthcare systems. This empowers them to address the rising burden of complex diseases, including rare diseases, cancer, neurological disorders, and immunological illnesses, which involve a high cost of therapy. A strategic shift from volume-to value-based healthcare (VBH) emphasizes sustainability, enhanced accessibility, and improved health outcomes through innovation. GCC's healthcare is marked by universal coverage and a shifting landscape of public-private partnerships. Rising pharmaceutical costs, especially for specialty drugs, continue to challenge budget sustainability. VBH offers a strategy to align healthcare expenditure with patient outcomes. This framework is supported by global and regional models such as managed entry agreements (MEAs), multi-criteria decision analysis, and real-world evidence (RWE). These models provide guidance for reimbursement strategies and support decision-making regarding high-value treatments. The GCC nations are also progressing towards policy discussion, but face challenges related to infrastructure, regulation, and workforce capacity. The Department of Health (DOH) in Abu Dhabi, which is a governmental health authority in the United Arab Emirates, has officially established a dedicated HTA unit to evaluate and assess new health technologies for evidence-informed decision making. This review highlights specialty care priorities and proposes target strategies such as expanding genetic databases, implementing screening programs, and establishing risk-sharing agreements to improve affordability, particularly for rare diseases. A consensus-driven phased roadmap for GCC-wide VBH adoption is recommended. This includes a focus on MEAs and patient-reported outcome measures, mid-term harmonization of health technology assessments (HTA) and RWE development as well as long-term establishment of digital ecosystems and value-based pricing platforms. Equitable and collaborative policies will be essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive healthcare systems across the GCC.

Suggested Citation

  • Anas Hamad & Ahmed Al-Jedai & Rita Ojeil & Abdulrazaq Sheikh Al-Jazairi & Adel Alassy & Yazed S Alruthia & Waiel Al Naeem & Hajer Almudaiheem & Mouza Alsaadi & Nada Alagil & Lina Wahba & Abdulmohsin M, 2025. "Driving the future of value-based healthcare in the Gulf Cooperation Council: a roadmap for achieving sustainable access to specialty pharmaceuticals," Post-Print hal-05354531, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05354531
    DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1667846
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05354531v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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