Value-Based Procurement Conference 2020 – Event Report

The 2nd European Value-Based Procurement conference was organised by the Value-Based Procurement Community of Practice (VBP CoP) and supported by the European Health Public Procurement Alliance (EHPPA), the European Regional and Local Authorities (EUREGHA) and MedTech Europe on 1 December 2020. This virtual event was attended by more than 250 delegates from procurement agencies, companies, government officials, European industry representatives, academics, and other healthcare stakeholders.

The conference explored the legal, technical and cultural challenges to widespread adoption and implementation of value-based (innovation) procurement. While the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed progress on many VBP projects, the crisis sparked acceleration in some areas including the procurement of innovative solutions. The pandemic also exposed inefficiencies, showed the value of resilient supply chains, and highlighted the need to make partnerships and a value-driven approach the norm across Europe.

Developing new skills, rewarding outcomes and cost of care gains, and enhancing the use of value-based agreements will play a central role in the wider adoption of innovative approaches to procurement.