Doctor-patient relationship most important implication of UPP

NEW YORK – Leaders from five major contact lens companies agree that despite the controversy surrounding unilateral pricing policies, patient safety and the relationship between the doctor and the patient are the most important goals. They addressed this in a panel discussion at the Global Contact Lens Forum, which was held here during Vision Expo East.

“We want to protect the safeguards of the doctor-patient relationship,” Ashley McEvoy, company group chairman of Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care Companies and Vision Care Inc., told attendees.

The company recently announced that it is discontinuing its unilateral pricing policy (UPP).

“UPP helped us improve patient affordability,” she said. “People are paying less today than 2 years ago for Acuvue contact lenses.

“What matters most for us is bringing insight-driven, science-based innovation to expand the category,” she continued. “Get people in earlier, keep them in lenses and go after new segments. We want to align with the profession and make sure that from a legislative and regulatory point of view there are smart safeguards to ensure a good patient outcome.”

Alcon’s global franchise head of vision care, Robert Warner, said, “We stand for everything that deepens that relationship between patient and optometrist.”

He said that Alcon was the first company to introduce UPP in 2013.

“We received an adverse decision in Utah, but we are continuing to fight in appellate court to continue UPP because we believe it’s an important part of bringing patients new technology,” he added.”

The industry has come together to drive a comprehensive and consistent message to the eye care community, Mark McKenna, vice president and general manager of vision care for Bausch + Lomb told attendees.

“We’ve gone state by state, working with lawmakers to make sure they have both sides of the story,” he said, “making sure the value and role the doctor plays with the patient is first and foremost and that patient safety is at the top of the list.”

CooperVision North American president Jerry Warner, discussed the strength of the Contact Lens Institute, a coalition made up of CooperVision, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.

“The capabilities of unifying around what is most important involving patient safety and outcomes, whether at the state or federal level, has been particularly impactful,” he said. “Diligence will be required. None of this is going away.”
Warner said that CooperVision believes that UPP plays a role as a pricing policy, particularly when introducing new technology.

“The industry has to be able to partner with the profession,” Jim Kirchner, OD, president and CEO of SynergEyes, said. “We have to protect that doctor-patient relationship.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Reference:

Morris S, et al. Global Contact Lens Forum: State of the Industry. Presented at: Vision Expo East. April 14-17; New York.

Disclosures: Kirchner is employed by SynergEyes. McEvoy is employed by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. McKenna is employed by Bausch + Lomb. Jerry Warner is employed by CooperVision. Robert Warner is employed by Alcon.