Pricing and Access Specialist

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Job Description

Title: Pricing and Access Specialist

Location:Johannesburg, South Africaoffice

Field: Market Access

About Takeda

At Takeda we strive to broaden access to treatment and enhance standards of care for people wherever they live. We focus on sustainably strengthening local health systems in low- and middle-income countries at every stage of the patient journey, while developing an end-to-end access approach to make our highly innovative medicines available as soon as practically possible.  

Takeda is unwavering in our commitment to patients. With the patient at the center of everything we do, we continue to innovate and drive changes that will better their lives and we are looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Who we are looking for:

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare in South Africa? Join Takeda Pharmaceuticals as our Pricing and Access Specialist, where your expertise will directly contribute to transforming patient access and elevating standards of care. This is your opportunity to be part of a team that partners with stakeholders across the private and public sectors to deliver innovative healthcare solutions, ensuring every patient has access to the care they deserve while advancing Takeda’s mission of better health for people, brighter futures for the world.

Objectives of this role:

• The Pricing and Access Specialist is pivotal in supporting Takeda's goal of ensuring patient access through innovative healthcare solutions. This role is responsible for optimizing access and pricing strategies and managing operations to ensure accessibility of Takeda’s pharmaceutical products within South Africa’s private & public healthcare sectors.

• The role encompasses internal & external price maintenance, operational access management, stakeholder coordination, compliance adherence, and data-driven decision-making to support effective strategic plan delivery, including the implementation of affordable healthcare solutions.

• The role will focus on the operational elements that improve patients’ access and reimbursement of Takeda’s portfolio, including patient affordability programs. It will also support key initiatives and activities that enable access for patients within the public sector.

• Operational/logistics support will also be provided for the supply of Takeda’s medicines to select export markets aligned with Takeda’s global access philosophy and GEM (Growth & Emerging Markets) Access on Demand (AOD) governance principles.

• This position plays a critical role in strengthening Takeda’s partnerships with identified Access-driven stakeholders and ensuring that our products are accessible to patients in need through various collaborative strategies.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences is required with degree in Health Economics, Medicine or Pharmacy preferred.

• 1-2 years of experience in pricing, market access, or related roles within the pharmaceutical industry or healthcare consultancy.

• Familiarity with South African healthcare dynamics, encompassing both private and public sectors, is an advantage.

• Experience in data analysis, market research, and healthcare economics is preferred

• Private sector Market Access experience is an advantage

Accountabilities: 

Operational Management:

• Collaborate with internal teams to align operations with global and local organizational goals, provide funding/access related insights to IBT (Integrated Brand Team).

• Oversee supply chain and logistics for public sector contracts, ensuring products are delivered on time and efficiently to public healthcare facilities. Manage quotes, customer queries & requests.

• Administrative support for private hospital groups – submission of quotes, formulary listings.

• Assist in preparing market access submissions and reimbursement dossiers for Takeda’s products.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of pricing and market access data.

• Generate insightful reports and presentations tailored for both internal strategy sessions and external stakeholder engagements.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure adherence to government regulations, contractual obligations, and Takeda’s ethical standards related to public sector procurement e.g. certifications, company registrations etc.

• Prepare and submit accurate reports required by government and regulatory bodies E.g. MASAC & Tender-related.

Stakeholder Coordination:

• Work closely & collaboratively with Key Account Specialist with national and provincial departments of health, pharmaceutical services, private medical schemes, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical depots to enhance relationships and create partnerships that enhance access to Takeda’s portfolio.

• Manage governance of stakeholders e.g. contract maintenance & appropriate Third-Party Due Diligence of identified stakeholders.

Pricing Strategy:

• Manage Takeda internal pricing & systems in accordance with relevant SOPs to ensure compliance to local and Takeda guidance.

• Maintain Takeda’s external pricing governance e.g. Pricing Committee/DoH, Medikredit, Distributor, wholesalers & other.

• Takeda price list maintenance.

• Conduct pricing research, including evaluation of competitor pricing and market trends to develop sustainable pricing strategies.

• Monitor competitor pricing, reimbursement models within the Department of Health, and trends in the South African healthcare market and share insights with IBT.

• Be the custodian of all SEP (Single Exit Price) related submissions to NdoH (National Department of Health) and PEE (Pharmaceutical Economic Evaluations)

Cost Optimization and Data Analysis:

• Analyse operational and financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency gaps in public sector operations.

• Implement strategies to enhance cost optimization, drive process improvements, and reduce inefficiencies in pharmaceutical delivery.

• Patient programs – monthly reports.

Public Affairs Engagement:

• Collaborate with Takeda’s Public Affairs division to strengthen engagement with healthcare stakeholders, focusing on equitable access to medicine for both public and private patients.

• Work closely with external entities like government departments, pharmaceutical bodies, and medical associations for products' inclusion in National/Provincial formularies and re-imbursement schedule to  ensure EML inclusion for identified products.

• Represent Takeda’s vision and commitment in forums, government consultations, and regulatory meetings.

Data Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of pricing and market access data.

• Generate insightful reports and presentations tailored for both internal strategy sessions and external stakeholder engagements.

Team Collaboration and Leadership

• Provide guidance to team members and contribute to a collaborative work environment that fosters innovation and shared success.

• Participate in process improvement initiatives and support the training of internal teams on pricing analytics.

Core competencies and skills

Operational Expertise

• In-depth understanding of supply chain and logistics processes, specifically tailored for public sector pharmaceutical delivery.

• Understanding of the processes within public sector which enable access to medicines such as buy-outs, tender, EML inclusion etc.

• Ability to manage end-to-end operations, ensuring compliance with healthcare policies and regulations.

• Analytical Skills

• Strong data analysis and interpretation capabilities to guide decision-making processes.

• Proficiency in using tools for operational efficiency analysis, pricing models, and forecasting market trends.

Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively liaise with government officials, healthcare providers, payers, and Takeda’s internal teams.

• Ability to convey complex data insights and operational strategies to non-technical stakeholders.

Problem-Solving and Innovation

• Demonstrated ability to address operational challenges using creative and impactful solutions.

• Innovative mindset to identify opportunities for process improvements and strategic advancements

Attention to Detail

• High level of accuracy in compliance management, operational data reporting, and documentation.

• Strong organizational skills to handle multiple projects and tight deadlines efficiently.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Confidently build strong relationships with stakeholders in the public sector (Department of Health, public hospitals, pharmaceutical services and depots)

• Ability to navigate discussions involving, public health strategies, and pharmaceutical inclusion in Essential Medicines List (EML).

Other requirements:

• Valid South African Driver’s license for motor vehicle and own vehicle to use for business as needed. 

• Local travel to ensure execution excellence optimizing stakeholder engagement with some international travel. Travel based on territory required as per plan

We create a diverse, inclusive, safe, open and collaborative working environment in which employees can contribute, perform and grow as individuals. Preference will be given to South African Citizens and Employment Equity Targets.

Takeda is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment and to having a workforce that is as diverse as the patients we serve and the communities where we’re based. To achieve that inclusivity, we embrace and celebrate our differences, respecting and valuing each other regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or physical appearance.  #LI-EN1

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