Patients in Focus

“Patient organizations are involved in many decision-making processes in healthcare. We also invite them where possible to contribute to our discussions,” says Nadia Hallwirth. Insights into the patient journey are particularly valuable. “When we enter a new therapy area, we want to understand what the patient journey looks like. What are the main hurdles?” Among the most frequently cited problems are delayed diagnosis or restricted access to innovative therapies, and limited infrastructure and support structures. 

This feedback is collected already during the clinical trial phase, and a plan is devised as to how to address the challenges. As a stakeholder, Boehringer Ingelheim cannot solve all problems on its own, and is trying to facilitate sustainable change through collaboration and co-creation with the patient community and other relevant stakeholders. Program Clinical Trial Ambassadors has been initiated to educate representatives of patient organizations on clinical trials, so that they can support other patients to overcome their fear and break down the barriers to clinical trials. For example by helping them to better understand the highly complex information they are confronted with. 

Access to Care, launched two years ago, is another proven best practice. The platform aiming at improving access to care and increasing patient voice in decision-making includes now around seventy of the most active patient groups from the region. Patient organizations are crucial in awareness-raising on unmet needs and living with a health condition.

 “Patients have good knowledge on their condition, patient pathway, and disease healthcare landscape. We unlock those insights by partnering with patients’ organisations to better understand the challenges they face and co-create solutions. This is of great value to us.”

explains Anna Lech. From a business perspective, however, this empathic approach needs to be combined with a strategic one. “Boehringer Ingelheim has created a framework combining both aspects,” Lech and Hallwirth agree.  

In conclusion, Anna Lech looks to the future. “I would like it if the patient organizations had a stronger voice in the healthcare system. Patients should have more opportunities to support policymakers, so that the best possible health outcomes can be achieved with the available resources.”