MAP - Market Access Podcast

In the latest episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer speaks with Sreeram Ramagopalan, a global expert at the intersection of biotech value, HTA, real‑world evidence and market access. Together they unpack how the UK NICE threshold increase (from £20–30k to £25–35k per QALY) and US reforms (IRA, MFN) are quietly rewriting the rules for global launch sequencing and pricing strategy.

They discuss why the US is no longer an isolated “free pricing” island, how UK and EU prices can now feed back into US revenues, and why small and mid‑size biotechs, in particular, c...

In the latest episode of MAP – the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer engages with Swiss healthcare strategist Cuno Moser to explore Europe's "innovation paradox" in healthcare. Despite its strengths in research, data quality, and clinical expertise, Europe struggles to transform pilot projects into scalable, reimbursable solutions. With over 27 fragmented reimbursement systems in the EU and in Switzerland, significant barriers impede progress in digital health, medtech, and AI-driven care. Beyond funding, challenges such as misaligned incentives, insufficient execution infrastructure, and flawed system design keep innovation stuck in "pilot purgatory."

Looking ahead, while Europe may not lead in sp...

In the latest episode of the MAP – Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer speaks with pricing and access expert Shrutya Bhalla about how primary research must evolve in an era of AI, policy shocks, and accelerating market complexity. The key takeaway: high‑quality primary research is no longer just about collecting insights – it must enable real strategic choices on pricing, access, launch sequencing, and evidence generation. This means moving from slow, static projects to continuous, platform‑driven, AI‑supported research, using AI for speed, automation and better hypotheses while keeping humans firmly in the lead for judgment, context and responsibi...

In this episode of the MAP – Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer speaks with Hatice Küçük Beton, Executive Director of the G20 Health and Development Partnership, about how to make global health truly investable – and keep it on the political agenda once the immediate crisis fades. They explore why high-level leadership, from Angela Merkel’s role during Germany’s G20 presidency to Japan’s joint health–finance initiative, was crucial in moving health from a “social cost” to a strategic economic and security issue. Hatice explains how bringing health and finance ministers to the same table – and getting them to speak the sam...

In the latest Market Access Podcast episode, host Stefan Walzer sits down with Bernard “Bernie” Bichsel – one of Europe’s most experienced voices in medtech regulation and former Head of the Medical Devices Division at Swissmedic – to unpack how regulation and market access truly fit together. They discuss why medical device regulation in Europe is still young compared to pharma, why the MDR/IVDR “notified body bottleneck” is largely yesterday’s problem, and how smart startups build regulatory timelines, costs, and clinical evidence into their plans from day one.

They then zoom out to Omnibus, the AI Act, and geopoli...

In this episode, Stefan Walzer talks with experienced Market Access manager Helmut Butscher about concrete AI applications across the full Market Access value chain. They explore how AI accelerates systematic literature reviews, unlocks real‑world evidence from complex data sources, supports HTA dossier preparation, and enables smarter decisions on pricing, reimbursement and global launch sequencing. They also address the limits and risks of AI in a highly regulated setting – from opaque HTA and payer decisions to regulatory uncertainty around AI‑generated evidence and the ethical tension between efficiency and fairness in health technology assessment.

Stefan and Helmut then l...

In this thought‑provoking Market Access Podcast episode, host Stefan Walzer sits down with Omar Ali – Head of Payers at Vipora, former NICE advisor, and one of the sharpest minds in drug pricing and innovative contracting to unpack where drug pricing and reimbursement are really heading.

They explore why cost‑effectiveness thresholds are making market access tougher than ever, how uncertainty around CAR‑T, gene therapies and orphan drugs fuels the “orphan bubble”, how innovative contracting and pay‑for‑performance can (sometimes) rescue multi‑million‑euro therapies and why the US is doing HTA at the end, not the beginning –...

In this Market Access Podcast episode, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Prof. Zanfania Ademi, a health economist at Monash University, to explore how Australia’s healthcare system is tackling key issues in market access and health technology assessment. Discover how Australia blends international approaches and new methods being developed by Zanfina and her team like distributional cost-effectiveness and productivity-adjusted life years to advance equity and value in healthcare. Tune in for fresh insights on health as an investment, not just a cost, and what’s next for decision-makers.

Key takeaways from the episode include the shift from...

In this episode of the Market Access Podcast, Erica Bersin—founder of ERO Health Communications—joins Dr. Stefan Walzer to discuss the changing role of patient involvement in healthcare. Drawing on her experience in both Europe and the U.S., Erica explains how single-payer systems make patient engagement easier, while the U.S. faces more challenges but also unique advocacy opportunities. She highlights the work of organizations like PCORI and the need for better data transparency.

The episode features real-world examples from HIV/AIDS and breast cancer advocacy, as well as pharma’s efforts to involve patients in cli...

In this episode of the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with strategy consultant and XR advocate Günther Illert to explore how virtual, augmented, and extended reality are reshaping healthcare—from patient training and pain therapy to surgical planning and medtech education.

Learn how cross-sector collaboration and early adoption—especially outside traditional reimbursement systems—can unlock the full potential of immersive technology in medicine. A must-listen for innovators, health tech professionals, and digital health strategists.

Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or listening directly on our website: MAP Podcasts —and if yo...

Tune in to this new episode of MAP to explore New Zealand’s unique healthcare and reimbursement landscape with Dr. Stefan Walzer and health economist Dr. Julius Ohnberger. Learn how PHARMAC combines HTA and payer roles, why equity and Māori health outcomes are central to market access and what global pharma can gain from launching in Aotearoa. 

Key insights include why New Zealand’s HTA model stands out as a global unicorn, how to navigate cultural and equity requirements in submissions, the importance of local evidence and stakeholder engagement, the impact of budget constraints and the shift to...

In this brand new episode of MAP - the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Elizabeth Shanahan, AI Strategy Lead at Sanofi, for a refreshingly honest conversation on the real-world implementation of artificial intelligence in pricing, evidence generation, and HTA processes.

From streamlining evidence generation to enhancing pricing strategies and dossier creation, they explore how AI tools are driving efficiency and strategic thinking. Learn how cultural change, human-in-the-loop systems, and transparency with payers are key to success in the digital health era. Whether you're exploring AI for the first time or scaling adoption across...

Tune in to this new episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, where Dr. Stefan Walzer is joined by Anne Loos from Wickenstones, to explore the evolving landscape of U.S. market access and reimbursement.

The U.S. reimbursement landscape is changing — driven by AI, global influences with the European JCA and political programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act. As fragmentation and rising complexity are pushing pharma to rethink strategy and timelines - this is a must-listen for professionals in pricing, HEOR, and market access.

Stay connected by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or...

Join this episode of MAP – The Market Access Podcast as Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Anna Forsythe, founder of OncoScope-AI, to explore how Living Systematic Literature Reviews (Living SLRs) are redefining evidence generation in oncology and beyond - highlighting the power of real-time updates, advanced automation, and the essential role of human insight.

Traditional SLRs are static snapshots, while Living SLRs are real-time, dynamic, and AI-powered—delivering continuously updated insights crucial for life-or-death decisions and payer evaluations. Join this discussion as they explore the myth of AI chatbots as true decision support tools, the need for acti...

In the latest MAP Podcast, our host Dr. Stefan Walzer is joined by Dr. Malina Müller from the WifOR Institute to rethink how we value health. From real-world ROI data to policy shifts and long-term strategies, they explore why investing in health pays off—not just in lives saved, but in economic growth, workforce productivity, and resilient societies.

Listen now to discover how viewing healthcare as an investment—not just a cost—can transform market access and what it means for pricing, innovation, and the future of care. If you work in pharma, policy, or health economi...

In this episode of MAP - the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with expert Prof. Dr. Thomas Hammerschmidt, to dive deep into Germany’s evolving AMNOG framework and what it really means for pharmaceutical pricing. 

This insightful conversation explores key changes in Germany’s pharma landscape, including the shift from negotiation-based pricing to benefit-linked guardrails, the 5% clinical trial rule, and their impact on innovation and reimbursement strategy. A must-listen for pharma professionals, health economists, and market access leaders!

Stay updated for upcoming webinars through LinkedIn, and take the chance to stay connected throu...

Tune in to this episode of MAP – The Market Access Podcast, to hear from Dr. Stefan Walzer as he speaks with Swiss reimbursement expert Petra Erni, who brings a rare perspective from both the industry and payer sides.

Together they explore the evolving Swiss drug reimbursement landscape, discussing the rise of cost consequence models, the growing role of health economic evidence, early access pathways, and strategic pricing challenges in Switzerland. Essential listening for pharma, market access, and health policy professionals—especially those eyeing the Swiss market.

Stay updated for upcoming webinars through LinkedIn, and take the...

This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP - Market Access Podcast, from December 1st 2023.

We are thrilled to announce our latest podcast episode, featuring a riveting conversation between our CEO Dr. Stefan Walzer and the esteemed healthcare reimbursement expert, Ron de Graaff. 

Ron, with his deep-rooted experience starting from 1978, shares his invaluable insights on the evolution of healthcare reimbursement, a journey from simpler times to today's intricate landscape involving multiple stakeholders like health insurance companies.

🔍 Key Highlights:

- Ron's path from founding his company in 1985, which has since assi...

In this thought-provoking episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with strategic Market Access consultant Dr. Doug Niven to explore one of the most pressing questions in pharma today - can Europe maintain its leadership in Market Access, or is it falling behind? 

From joint HTA (JCA), pricing reforms, and AI-driven tools to global value frameworks and real-world data, this episode unpacks key trends shaping pharma, biotech, and healthcare access in 2025 and beyond. If you're in health economics, pricing & reimbursement, or regulatory strategy, this is a must-listen.

Stay updated for u...

Tune in to this new episode of the Market Access Podcast, where our host Dr. Stefan Walzer is joined by AMNOG expert Anja Pownell to bust some of the most persistent misconceptions about German market access—and share actionable survival tips for navigating the GBA process.

Learn how to strategically prepare for AMNOG submissions, navigate price negotiations, and leverage AI tools to streamline dossier writing and literature reviews. A must-listen for anyone involved in pharmaceutical pricing, reimbursement, and European market access strategy.

Stay updated for upcoming webinars through LinkedIn, and take the chance to stay co...

In this episode of the Market Access Podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Kasem Akhras, veteran access strategist and author of Frontiers in Market Access, to unpack what it really takes to bring innovative therapies to patients across emerging markets. From the rising demand for innovative therapies to the tightening grip of healthcare budgets, this episode explores the real challenges and opportunities in market access today.

Discover why pricing strategies must be tailored to each market, how cross-functional collaboration and early planning are key to success, and how digital health and AI are reshaping the future...

Tune in to the latest episode of the Market Access Podcast, where Dr. Stefan Walzer welcomes statistician and Evimed founder Necdet Gunsoy to explore the critical role of statistics in health economics, HTA, and payer strategy. Learn how better collaboration between statisticians and market access teams can drive evidence-based decision-making, improve communication, and support strategic planning—plus the impact of AI on future workflows.

This conversation spans key topics—from real-world evidence and health technology assessment (HTA) to internal cross-functional alignment and strategic planning in market access. Whether you're a health economist, market access leader, or data expe...

This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP - Market Access Podcast, from July 15th 2024.

Unlock the Future of Market Access with AI and Systematic Literature Reviews! Join Dr. Stefan Walzer in the latest episode of the Market Access Podcast as he delves into the transformative power of AI in systematic literature searches. Featuring Jeffrey Johnson and Kevin Kallmes from Nested Knowledge, this episode explores how their innovative platform revolutionizes literature reviews, making them faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

This episode is for anyone who wants to learn more about the integration...

What does it take to succeed in Market Access? In this brand new episode of MAP, the Market Access podcast, Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with industry veteran Adrian Kielhorn, co-author of The Market Access Guide. Together, they unpack the evolving role of market access professionals, the power of strategic thinking, mastering negotiations, and why patient centricity is key to success.

Learn how to develop a strong value story, navigate pricing and reimbursement, and stay ahead in the dynamic pharmaceutical and healthcare landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is packed wi...

In this brand new episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, our host Dr. Stefan Walzer is joined by Dr. Nick Leach, Market Access expert and managing director at Red Thread, to break down the Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) process, its impact on pharma, biotech, and medical device companies, and how early advice can shape market access and reimbursement strategies in Europe.

Tune in to learn about JCA’s mandatory requirements, challenges, opportunities, and future developments as companies prepare for the evolving EU market access framework. JCA is changing the market access landscape in Europe - don’t mi...

Join the latest episode of the Market Access Podcast, where our host Dr. Stefan Walzer and expert Dr. Ahmed Seddik dissect the complexities of the societal impact of medical innovation. Dr. Ahmed Seddik shares important insights from his journey starting as a dentist in Egypt to his PhD research in health economics and social impact, focusing on how the access to innovation transforms communities and economies.

Explore how medical innovation shapes healthcare systems and economies, and take part in the discussion of how health economics, cost-effectiveness, and societal impact influence reimbursement decisions. Listen now to learn more a...

How can AI revolutionize Market Access, and what does it take to drive successful change in pharma? Tune into the latest episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, where our host Dr. Stefan Walzer and Jan Kroschinski, an expert in digital transformation, will delve into change management and AI adoption in pharma.

Follow along as they explore how AI can streamline processes like dossier writing and HTA submissions, while tackling resistance to change. Discover strategies for effective AI adoption, leadership engagement, and risk vs. opportunity - how to shift from fear-based thinking to opportunity-driven AI adoption. Get...

In the latest episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, our host Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Johan Olsson, a seasoned life sciences investor, to uncover the critical role of market access and reimbursement in early-stage healthcare investments.

They explore how early market access planning impacts healthcare startups, investment decisions, and commercialization success. Discover why pricing, reimbursement, and payer strategies are key to securing funding, mitigating risk, and maximizing valuation. An understanding of the market access landscape can make or break a healthcare startup’s valuation, funding potential, and commercial viability. Tune in now to learn ho...

In this episode of MAP, Dr. Stefan Walzer, together with experts Douglas Drake and Adam Skali, unpacks the complexities of how GDPR regulations affect real-world evidence, cross-border studies, and market access in Europe. The discussion highlights data privacy challenges, delays in commercialization, and the future of healthcare data regulation.

Learn more about how data privacy laws create barriers for cross-border studies, delaying access to life-saving treatments, and how companies can navigate these hurdles and optimize market entry strategies. Can Europe find a balance between data privacy and innovation? Tune in to explore the challenges, solutions, and what’s...

Tune in to the latest episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, where Dr. Stefan Walzer sits down with Amazon bestselling author Dr. Kasia Hein-Peters to explore the power of structured innovation planning.

Get a deeper understanding of how healthcare companies better can balance short-term commercialization with long-term innovation, as well as what roles of AI, digital twins and scenario-based planning play in shaping market access. 

Hear the expert insights on commercialization, reimbursement, and future-proofing market access strategies. From Horizon 1 (current business) to Horizon 3 (future disruptions), this episode unpacks the key strategies to ensure market a...

Discover the newest episode of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, your go-to podcast for all things Market Access. In todays episode our host Dr. Stefan Walzer dives deep into early market access in commercialization planning, bridging the gap between innovation and market success. Joined by Catherine Bacon, founder of Fingerpost Consulting, the conversation unpacks the critical steps early-stage healthcare companies must take to ensure patient access, maximize funding, and achieve commercial success.

Explore the importance of early market access in commercialization planning. Learn how to align clinical trials, evidence generation, and payer requirements to ensure patient access...

This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP - Market Access Podcast, from March 15th 2024.

Explore the inspiring journey of Dipti Tankala in this podcast episode as she delves into market access within the pharmaceutical industry. From facing challenges in community pharmacy to leading in oncology market access, Dipti shares valuable insights on making impactful career transitions. Market Access veteran Dr. Stefan Walzer and Dipti Tankala also talk about the significance of networking, mentorship, and the essential skills for success. This episode is a must-listen for professionals looking to navigate the complex world of market a...

This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP - Market Access Podcast, from December 15th 2021.

Who could be better to tell us the real insights, how the arbitration board works than Prof. Dr. Juergen Wasem, the former head of the AMNOG arbitration board and the current head of the DiGA arbitration board.

In this wide ranging conversation Dr. Stefan Walzer confronted Prof. Wasem with in-depth issues to take the arbitration board as well into strategic considerations.

Take the chance to stay connected and subscribe with your favorite podcasting platform or directly liste...

This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP - Market Access Podcast, from April 15th 2023.

All patients within all populations should have access to high quality medications that improve their health outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status or any other individual factors, wrote Dr. Utibe R. Essien in an Jama article 2021. But how does reality look like? Equality in access starts with the generalizability of RCT data and the inclusion and exclusion criteria for these studies. But it does not stop there. How do regulators, payers and physicians work against inequality? The market access veter...

This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP - Market Access Podcast, from October 1st 2022.

Digital health could improve the efficiency, care and way patients are treated in all health care systems in the next years. Germany has started by implementing digital health applications (“DIGAs”) and is currently on its way to improve the digital infrastructure in hospitals. Anyway, some core questions remain such as reimbursement for high risk medical devices, e.g. artificial intelligence (AI), interoperability.

Dr. Stefan Walzer and Julian Molitor are discussing the current state as well as future opportunities with...

This is a repost of a popular episode of MAP, Market Access Podcast, from 15th of July 2023.

Even though there are great accelerators and a lot of innovative product ideas, only very few products actually make it to the market and are commercially successful. What is the reason behind that and even more important how could this situation be improved?

In this podcast episode, Dr. Stefan Walzer and Dr. Kasia Hein-Peters are discussing the necessity for an overarching business and company strategy approach. In health care this is sometimes referred to a lifecycle approach, the...

Join us on the latest episode of MAP - the Market Access Podcast - where our host Dr. Stefan Walzer, together with special guest Gerdi Strydom, Managing Director at Valid Insight, explore the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) into Health Technology Assessments (HTAs).

In this episode, they unpack how healthcare's carbon footprint and environmental impact are influencing policy, payor decisions, and industry strategies. Discover how leaders are addressing these challenges, the steps being taken in regions like the Nordics and the UK, and what the future holds for low-carbon pharmaceuticals.

This episode is...

This is a repost of a popular MAP, Market Access Podcast, from 1st of January 2023. 

Companies launching oncology drugs sometimes struggle with existing reimbursement pathways and negotiations with payers, mainly in Europe, but also in other parts of the world. Evidence generation is the start of every drug development, but especially in oncology the design is important – not only that payers want to get a proof of a longer survival, but they also have further needs in their internal assessment. Enjoy the insights shared by the oncology market access veterans Dr. Stefan Walzer and Ed Schoonveld. 

Stay...

This is a repost of a popular MAP, Market Access Podcast, from January 2023. 

A strong evidence package is important as a solid base for health technology assessments and the following price negotiations with health care payers. It is widely agreed, that randomized controlled trials are the gold standard in HTA, but there are also strong advocates of real-world evidence as a complementary way to measure the effectiveness of treatments. 

One of these advocates is Dr. Karen Facey and so Dr. Stefan Walzer brought her on the podcast and asked all the tough questions about real wo...

In this repost of MAP, the Market Access Podcast, from 15th of September 2023, you’ll hear from Dr Stefan Walzer and Dr Mike Rosenblatt as they’re discussing the age we are currently in of massive medical innovation, including a lot of new modalities especially in the area of ATMPs, and this insightful conversation highlights some core questions:

- What are the differences between Clinical Development and Medical Affairs?

- When should a company start telling their medical story about a new product?

- What are the differences between drugs and vaccinations from a med...