PHP367 - PROFESSIONALS’ PERSPECTIVE OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUCCESSFUL PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT. THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The development of pharmaceutical products can take a lot of time and involves many stakeholders carrying out various tasks. There are multiple factors that can facilitate or impede the development of pharmaceutical products. This study surveyed the professionals working in the field of health economics and outcomes research about factors that could influence the successful development of pharmaceutical products from their perspective. A questionnaire survey was carried out for the present study, administered at the ISPOR Glasgow to 104 participants; professionals from various backgrounds. They were asked about their opinion of factors that would influence the development of a successful pharmaceutical product. Thematic analysis was carried out to categorise answers to identify the factors that, in the opinion of the professionals surveyed could influence the development of a successful pharmaceutical product. A total of 104 responses were collected; 11 participants were from academia, 33 from consultancy firms, and 12 from healthcare sector, 2 payers and 46 from Pharmaceutical Companies. Answers were categorised under seven domains as follows: access, communication, cost, efficacy, external factors, quality of life (QoL) and safety. Of the factors, the most cited as influential were cost, external factors and QoL with 76%, 72% and 67% of respondents identifying these items. Communication, safety and efficacy were also mentioned by at least half of respondents (50%, 55% and 64%, respectively). The factor viewed as least important in the development of pharmaceutical products was access with only 28% of respondents. The majority of professionals that participated in the study believed that cost, external factors, QoL, efficacy, safety and communication are important in the development of pharmaceutical products. However, access was the least important factor. Professionals should consider these important factors when planning the development of a pharmaceutical product.