The Top Market Access Trends for 2026
The market access trends 2026 are being shaped by increasing global pricing pressure, fast-moving regulatory reform and rising expectations around evidence and value. Across the US, Europe and emerging markets, payers are tightening scrutiny while introducing new measures that will directly influence market access trends in 2026, especially around affordability, sustainability and equitable access.
As manufacturers prepare their strategies, the market access trends 2026 point to a year defined by earlier evidence planning, new launch pathways, evolving HTA expectations and a stronger emphasis on patient experience.
Below is a preview of the top market access trends for 2026.
Trend 1: US Price Pressure Intensifies (MFN + IRA)
The combination of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) pricing models and ongoing Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) implementation is reshaping US price expectations. Voluntary MFN-aligned agreements with state Medicaid programmes, combined with upcoming IRA-linked negotiations, are tightening margins and influencing launch sequencing, early-stage valuations and global pricing corridors.
Trend 2: Global Launch Strategies Shift Toward the Middle East
Rising price pressure in the US and Europe is prompting manufacturers to rebalance launch sequencing. The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia’s Breakthrough Medicine Programme is becoming a more attractive first-wave region offering accelerated reviews, regulatory flexibility and strong incentives for early real-world evidence generation.
Trend 3: EU Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) Starts to Settle
2026 should bring clarity on how member states use the first JCA outputs in national processes. Key questions include the handling of ATMP assessments, how strictly countries follow clinical guidelines when defining PICOs, and the degree to which divergent national practices drive evidence complexity.
Trend 4: Private Access Grows as Public Budgets Tighten
Public payers across major markets are facing mounting fiscal pressure, leading to tighter reimbursement policies for high-budget-impact therapies. This has accelerated patient movement toward private channels, a trend highlighted by the GLP-1 obesity market, where private and out-of-pocket demand continues to expand.
Trend 5: Patient Voice Gains Influence
Regulators and HTA bodies are placing greater emphasis on patient-experience data (PED). The EMA’s ongoing consultation on patient-input expectations signals a shift toward embedding lived experience, outcomes that matter to patients, and day-to-day impact more explicitly within evidence packages, though how far this will shift reimbursement decisions remains an open question.
Download the Full 2026 Market Access & Pricing Trends Report
The full report includes detailed analysis of all five market access trends 2026, including
- Comprehensive breakdowns of all five trends
- Detailed implications for pricing and access across EU, US and Middle East markets
- Strategic recommendations for manufacturers planning 2026 launches
- Examples, data points and policy developments you can act on
Download the full 2026 Trends Report HERE