Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41896869›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2026

Exploring alternative funding mechanisms to improve patient access to innovative medicines.

Teerapat Ungtrakul, Jomtana Siripaibun, Puree Anantachoti, Omar Akhtar, Pichaya Suthipinijtham, Malvin Kang, Adrien Gras, Jeonghoon Ahn, Nithi Mahanonda, Chirayu Auewarakul

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Teerapat UngtrakulPrincess Srisavangavadhana Faculty of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kampangphet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand. teerapat.ung@cra.ac.th.
Jomtana SiripaibunChulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.
Puree AnantachotiFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Puree.a@pharm.chula.ac.th.
Omar AkhtarHealthcare Market Access, Ipsos Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.
Pichaya SuthipinijthamHealthcare Market Access, Ipsos Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.
Malvin KangHealthcare Market Access, Ipsos Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.
Adrien GrasHealthcare Market Access, Ipsos Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.
Jeonghoon AhnDepartment of Health Convergence, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.
Nithi MahanondaChulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chirayu AuewarakulChulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite the existence of universal health coverage for citizens in Thailand, patient access to innovative medicines remains a challenge given the rapid pace of scientific development and high cost of new therapies. Thai policymakers currently focus almost exclusively on incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and budget impact without considering flexibilities for decision-making. Payers are deprived of tools to manage financial and clinical uncertainties resulting in severely restricted access for patients. This research aims to identify the potential funding mechanisms and implementation approaches in the Thai context to improve access to high-cost innovative medicines.

methodsA research program was conducted in two phases; focus group discussions with 21 key stakeholders and further in-depth interviews with senior Thai key stakeholders. The first phase sought participants’ ranking of the top five selected financing mechanisms according to feasibility and attractiveness. The second phase utilized in-depth interviews to explore implementation approaches within the Thai context.

resultsManaged entry agreements (MEAs) and ring-fenced funding for innovative medicines were viewed favorably. These approaches were deemed easier to implement, providing an acceptable balance of risk and effort between all parties in the ecosystem and efficiently improving patients’ outcomes. High-cost innovative medicines for oncology, rare diseases, and life-threatening diseases with no alternative treatments were recommended as prioritized therapy areas for MEAs. A key priority is a need for a framework to implement MEAs into the current Thai health technology assessment (HTA) process. Additional key considerations included the need to integrate innovative funding mechanisms and establish pilot projects to test the viability of MEAs in Thailand.

conclusionsIn conclusion, all participants acknowledged and endorsed using tangible financial-based solutions (MEAs and ring-fenced funding) for Thailand. Prioritizing equal access to innovative medicines by such initiatives will go a long way in promoting a healthier and more productive Thai society.

Indexed as

Drugs, InvestigationalHealth Services AccessibilityCost-Benefit AnalysisFocus GroupsHumansInterviews as TopicThailandDrugs, InvestigationalCancer therapyFinancial strategiesHealth technology assessmentHigh-cost innovationPatient accessThailand

Identifiers

PMID41896869
PMCPMC13147552

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.