The Payer Exchange Podcast Episode 6: UK - Yousaf Ahmad on Competing NHS Priorities and the Unintended Consequences of National Guidance
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In the opening episode of series two of The Payer Exchange, Omar Ali is joined by Dr Yousaf Ahmad, Chief Pharmacist and Director of Medicines Optimisation at a NHS Integrated Care System.
They explore the practical trade-offs being made inside the NHS today: the pressure to find efficiency without losing sight of quality, the reality of navigating oncology value frameworks, and the challenge of ensuring that VBAs work for both payers and manufacturers. The conversation also touches on the UK’s evolving approach to MFN spillover and combination treatments.
Key themes:
NHS cost-effectiveness thresholds and their evolution
Practical implementation of VBAs in the NHS
Oncology access and MFN pricing ripple effects
“My ultimate focus is not about being cost effective — it’s about being implementable and affordable in practice.”
About The Payer Exchange
The Payer Exchange is a podcast from Verpora that explores how payers around the world are navigating complex pricing and access decisions. Hosted by Omar Ali, Verpora’s Head of Payers, each episode features a one-to-one conversation with a payer from a different healthcare system—offering direct insight into the practical realities of drug funding, reimbursement, and health system sustainability.
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Disclaimer: This presentation is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as legal or policy advice. This presentation is based on non-confidential intelligence. Views expressed by the speakers are personal opinions and should not be attributed to anyone else. No part of this presentation may be reproduced for commercial purposes without the express permission of Verpora.
