About the Forum
How MFN is reshaping pricing, access and investment
Health Access Forum 2027 is a strategic expert meeting on the impact of MFN pricing policy on access to medicines in Europe, and in particular in Central and Eastern Europe.
It brings together European and Bulgarian health experts, senior representatives of institutions and organisations, and industry, to examine how MFN is reshaping pricing, patient access and the investment environment across the continent, and which responses are available at national and European level.
The meeting is an expert exchange and a contribution to the wider public debate. Media are invited to attend.
Institutions
Senior representatives of European and Bulgarian institutions and organisations.
Experts
European and Bulgarian health policy and health economics experts.
Industry
Representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.
Media
Journalists are invited, with interview opportunities at the coffee break and the networking lunch. Request accreditation.
Context
Why MFN, why now
US pricing now follows the lowest prices in comparable countries, so a low European price has become a global risk for manufacturers. In CEE, with lower prices, small markets and external price referencing, that risk lands first on access.
- Access
Companies may delay launches in smaller, lower-price markets.
- Prices
Confidential net prices are becoming an access tool.
- Investment
Trials, plants and R&D can leave Europe, or be won by CEE.
Two roads for the region
- Low pricesno safeguards
- MFN price pressure
- Delayed launches
- A wider access gap
- Predictabilitystable environment
- Clinical trials
- Manufacturing and R&D
- Better access for patients
Which road the region takes is the question for the Forum.
Sources: Executive Order 14297, 12 May 2025; CMS GLOBE final rule, 30 September 2026.
Tuesday, 2 February 2027
Preliminary programme
Hilton Sofia. All times are Sofia time.
- 08:30 – 09:0030 minArrival
Registration & welcome coffee
09:00 – 09:1010 minOpening
Opening
Welcome address by Health Metrics, the organiser of the Forum.
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09:10 – 09:3020 minSpecial address
The European response to MFN: protecting access in a changing global environment
An address on the European response to MFN pricing policy and on how to protect patient access in a changing global environment.
Speakers
The speaker will be announced.
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09:30 – 09:5020 minHigh-level address
Innovation, research and Europe's competitiveness
A high-level address on innovation, research and the competitiveness of Europe in the context of MFN.
Speakers
The speaker will be announced.
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09:50 – 10:0515 minOfficial address
The national health perspective
An official address presenting the national health perspective on MFN and access to medicines.
Speakers
The speaker will be announced.
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10:05 – 10:2015 minOfficial address
Investment, industry and competitiveness
An official address on investment, industry and competitiveness in the context of MFN.
Speakers
The speaker will be announced.
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10:20 – 10:4020 minKeynote 1
International reference pricing: what have we learned from Europe and what does MFN change?
Prof. Panos KanavosA look at what Europe has learned from international reference pricing, and at what MFN changes.
Speaker
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- 10:40 – 11:0020 minCoffee break
Opportunity for media interviews and networking
Request media accreditation 11:00 – 11:2020 minKeynote 2
The economics of MFN: price, value and return on investment
A keynote on the economics of MFN, and on how price, value and return on investment relate.
Speakers
The speaker will be announced.
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11:20 – 12:1050 minPanel 1
The impact of MFN on access and pricing policies in Europe
Prof. Jaime Espín · Dr. Malina Müller · Prof. Graham CooksonA panel discussion on how MFN affects access and pricing policies across Europe.
Confirmed panellists
Further panellists and the moderator will be announced.
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12:10 – 13:0050 minPanel 2
CEE and Bulgaria in the new environment: vulnerabilities and opportunities
Luka Vončina · Deyan DenevA panel discussion on the position of CEE countries and Bulgaria in the new pricing environment: vulnerabilities and opportunities.
Confirmed panellists
Further panellists and the moderator will be announced.
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13:00 – 13:3030 minPanel 3
Access to medicines as a public debate
Andrea Martínez Cruz · Neil GrubertA panel on access to medicines as a subject of public debate.
Confirmed panellists
Further panellists and the moderator will be announced.
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Speakers
Confirmed speakers
More speakers will be announced as they confirm.
Chief Executive
Office of Health Economics (OHE)
On site
Professor in Practice in International Health Policy; Deputy Director, LSE Health; Director, Medical Technology Research Group (MTRG)
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Online
Head of Health Economics Department
WifOR Institute
On site
Professor
Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP), Spain
On site
Executive Director
Association of the Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Bulgaria (ARPharM)
On site
Independent Consultant
World Bank
On site
Market Access and Policy Officer
Medicines for Europe
On site
Global Market Access Consultant, Trainer and Writer
Independent
On siteMore speakers to be announced
Further speakers will appear here as they confirm.
Partners
Supported by
Partners to be announced
Health Access Forum 2027 is organised by Health Metrics. Organisations interested in supporting the Forum are welcome to get in touch.
Become a partner- Venue
- Hilton Sofia, 1 Bulgaria Blvd, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Date
- Tuesday, 2 February 2027
- Time
- Half-day programme from 08:30 to 13:30, followed by a networking lunch
- Language
- English
- Participation
- By invitation only. For more information about the event, please write to team@healthmetrics.bg.
- Media
- Journalists are invited. Interview opportunities are planned for the coffee break and the networking lunch. Request media accreditation.
Contact
By invitation only
Attendance at Health Access Forum 2027 is by invitation only.
For more information about the event, please write to: team@healthmetrics.bg