Medaffcon’s Market Access Team Prepares Nordic Projects under the Leadership of Simo Jääskeläinen

Medaffcon’s Market Access team welcomed a new leader in mid-November, as Simo Jääskeläinen returned to his familiar workplace after a six-year hiatus. During that time, he worked as a Head of Market Access and Pricing at a pharmaceutical company.

According to Jääskeläinen, the decision to return was ultimately an easy one.

“Medaffcon is at an interesting stage of growth now that we’ve expanded into Sweden and are delivering Nordic projects. It’s an exciting opportunity, even for a seasoned professional,” Jääskeläinen says.

In Nordic projects, the Market Access team collaborates closely with Lisse-Lotte Hermansson, the Country Director of Medaffcon’s Swedish branch.

Across all countries, the goal of Market Access is to eliminate non-medical barriers between a medicine and the patient. In Finland, the objective is to secure reimbursement for outpatient drugs and inclusion of hospital medicines in hospital formularies.

The Market Access Team Provides Comprehensive Support to Pharmaceutical Companies

Medaffcon’s Market Access team assists pharmaceutical companies in processes and strategic planning related to market entry and presence. Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) factors in effectiveness, cost, and patient quality of life.

For instance, the team prepares price and reimbursement applications, health economic dossiers, and risk-sharing agreements for hospital medicines. These are made by Tanja Nieminen, Julia Salmi, Juulia Aho, Lotta Jokimies, Annu Söderholm ja Katariina Autio.

Timo Karvinen specializes in creating interactive tools that enable pharmaceutical companies to monitor the usage of both their own and competitors’ products.

The Market Access team consists of seven experts, supported actively by principal consultant Jarmo Hahl. Expertise from other teams also plays a role, as cross-team collaboration is a core part of Medaffcon’s approach. The RWE (Real-World Evidence), Data Analysis and Medical teams are often involved in Market Access projects.

Medaffcon’s key collaborators include not only client companies but also authorities and decision-makers such as the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) and the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board (Hila). When a pharmaceutical company is preparing to bring a new drug to market, communication with the authorities begins early.

For hospital medicines, stakeholders include hospital pharmacists and decision-makers within Finland’s welfare regions.

A Significant Portion of Market Access Projects Focus on the Latest Pharmaceutical Innovations

Because the work is diverse, experts have the chance to explore different therapeutic areas and treatments. Many projects involve the latest pharmaceutical innovations, providing insight into industry trends and enabling rapid skill development. Occasionally, team members also work directly within client companies.

“Medaffcon is the most respected consultancy in its field in Finland and is known for its expertise. We have a down-to-earth atmosphere and a relaxed vibe. We operate professionally, collaborate, and support one another,” Jääskeläinen describes their workplace and team.

Since Market Access processes and services are often complex, even experienced experts encounter new challenges. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are integral to the work. Medaffcon’s extensive knowledge base, built from a broad client portfolio and numerous therapeutic areas, enhances learning. Projects teach a great deal, helping to maintain professional expertise.

“The best way to learn is by doing. New experts are gradually given responsibility until they can stand on their own,” Jääskeläinen explains.

Pharmacy Substitution for Biological Medicines Expanded in Finland at Turn of the Year

One topical issue in the Finnish pharmaceutical industry is the expansion of pharmacy substitution for biological medicines to cover nearly all biologics. According to Jääskeläinen, this topic has been a discussion point among pharmaceutical companies for years, but now the change is actual.

“We’ve already conducted studies on the impacts of these changes and are currently working on this topic,” Jääskeläinen says.

The expansion of pharmacy substitution will lower the prices of biological medicines. When a biosimilar enters the reference price system, the prices of original products also decrease. Hila has determined that when the first biosimilar of a biological drug enters the market, its price must be 30% lower than that of the original product.

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