Medaffcon Becomes Member of Pharma Industry Finland – Jarmo Hahl Joins the Board

Medaffcon strengthened its role in the pharmaceutical sector by joining Pharma Industry Finland (Lääketeollisuus ry). The membership offers a broader view of industry developments and supports the company’s work to advance sustainable healthcare.

Becoming a member of Pharma Industry Finland is a natural step for Medaffcon, whose core business is delivering research and expert services to pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organisations. The majority of Medaffcon’s clients operate in the pharmaceutical sector.

In December, Medaffcon’s Principal Consultant Jarmo Hahl also began his term as a member of the association’s Board. According to Hahl, the membership offers Medaffcon a valuable opportunity to contribute to discussions shaping the future of the industry.

“Our goal is always to serve our clients in the best possible way. We have long been well informed about industry developments and future scenarios, but this enables us to engage even more closely in those discussions and to help influence the future of our field.”

Navigating an uncertain operating environment

The pharmaceutical sector is currently characterised by significant uncertainties. One example is the MFN (Most Favored Nation) pricing proposal put forward by the Trump administration.

“No one can predict exactly what lies ahead, but the various developments have been examined carefully. It is essential to consider how Finland’s operating environment can be strengthened while supporting the development of our own industry. We want to bring our expertise to that work.”

Medaffcon’s ambition is to support the advancement of a sustainable healthcare system in which the pharmaceutical industry plays its important role.

Unique expertise at the Board level

Hahl is the only member of the Board representing an organisation outside pharmaceutical companies. His expertise strengthens the Board’s market access capabilities and broadens its understanding of the operating environment.

Hahl has worked at Medaffcon for 15 years and previously held several market access roles in pharmaceutical companies. He also has extensive knowledge of Nordic healthcare systems and operating environments, gained through the ISPOR Nordic Chapter and especially through Medaffcon’s Nordic operations.

“I’m very familiar with companies’ market access challenges from the perspective of both small and large organisations and products. Challenges related to market entry, maintaining market presence and pricing are also well known to me. Because we work with a wide range of clients, our understanding of the pharmaceutical landscape is extensive.”

Hahl participated for several years before 2010 in the committee work of Pharma Industry Finland while working in pharmaceutical companies. Many of the themes that were prominent at the time, such as the two-tier financing model, drug assessment processes, and the development of the reimbursement system, are still relevant today.

“A lot of positive reforms have been made, but hospital and outpatient medicines still follow separate assessment procedures and channels. We are currently at a interesting point in the development of assessment practices, with new approaches being explored. The pharmaceutical industry can play a key role in building a well-functioning system. That continues to motivate me,” Hahl says.