AmCham Position Paper on the Value of Innovation in Healthcare

The position paper highlights the contribution of innovation to improved health outcomes, patients’ quality of life, and the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system. AmCham believes that funding decisions should reflect the overall value of innovation for patients, the healthcare system, and society, rather than solely its initial cost.

AmCham proposes reducing the time lag between the approval of innovative therapies in the European Union and their availability to patients in Croatia, alongside transparent and predictable funding pathways for medical devices and related procedures. It also recommends developing national disease registries and interoperable digital health infrastructure to monitor treatment outcomes and support evidence-based decision-making.

In addition, the paper emphasizes the need for realistic multi-year healthcare budget planning and timely settlement of payment obligations to suppliers. In public procurement of medical devices, AmCham recommends assessing clinical and functional quality, maintenance, training, and reliability of supply, alongside price and, where appropriate, life-cycle costing.

The proposed recommendations would support more timely access to innovation, more efficient use of healthcare resources, and better treatment outcomes, while recognizing healthcare spending as a long-term investment in health and the economy.

The position paper is available here.