For decades, rising costs of health care, health insurance, and prescription drugs have been a major concern for American consumers, caregivers, providers, and employers. To address these challenges, policymakers are exploring international reference pricing (IRP) models, such as the proposed “Most Favored Nations” (MFN) policy, and more formalized models such as the GENEROUS (GENErating cost Reductions fOr U.S. Medicaid) Model, GUARD (the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs) Model, and the GLOBE (Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing) Model. While the details of each approach differ, these models all propose to align United States (U.S.) prescription drug costs with those paid by comparable countries within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
To build consensus on the potential impact of an IRP pricing model in the U.S., Aimed Alliance convened a meeting with international patient group stakeholders and advocates representing patients, providers, and caregivers from Europe, Oceania, and North America, to explore patient-centered alternatives and identify best practices in international value assessments. Participants offered valuable insights that highlighted key concerns of international patients, shared best practices, and shared feedback on actionable recommendations to address prescription drug affordability. This paper highlights the opportunities and challenges of implementing an IRP model in the U.S. and provides alternative solutions that could more directly address consumer out-of-pocket costs. Read the Report, Appendix A, Executive Summary, and Alternatives and Recommendations.
Last Updated on February 11, 2026 by Aimed Alliance
