The short videos are part of ASCERTAIN’s commitment to transparency and patient engagement. They explain key concepts that play an important role in how new medicines and medical devices are evaluated, priced, and ultimately made accessible to patients across Europe.
What is a model?
The first video introduces health economic models. These are tools used to analyse information and compare different strategies when making decisions about healthcare interventions. The video explains how models help decision-makers assess costs, value for patients and health systems, affordability and broader societal impacts, including environmental considerations. It also shows who uses these models, from regulators and HTA agencies to companies, policymakers, and patient organisations.
What is a framework?
The second video focuses on the ACCESS2MEDS framework developed within ASCERTAIN. It explains how a framework brings together different models for pricing, cost-effectiveness, and reimbursement into one structured approach. The video highlights how such frameworks support more consistent, transparent, and well-informed decision-making, particularly in the context of increasing pressure on public health budgets.
The journey of a new medicine in the EU
The third video follows the journey of a new medicine from research and development to patient use. It explains the role of the European Medicines Agency, the scientific evaluation process, market authorisation at EU level and the national decisions on pricing and reimbursement that ultimately determine patient access in each country.
All three videos are animated, easy to follow, and aimed at helping patients and the wider public better understand how decisions about medicines are made.
You can find these videos and more patient-focused resources on the ASCERTAIN website: https://www.access2meds.eu/for-patients/
Thanks to Myeloma Patients Europe for developing these videos.