Good question Rafael Martinez Permuy
Biopharma, this forum's area, are working towards patient centricity for sure. However, in my opinion, there are a few areas that need to be addressed for patient empowerment to become a reality along with roadblocks (or rather obstacles) that are in the way.
1) Price transparency: it's true that there are many players to set prices of pharmaceuticals from payers to pharmacy benefit managers to pharma companies. It is difficult for patients to make decisions based on pricing alone and there is no one stop shop for pricing transparency.
2) Personalized treatments: we know that medicines don't always work the same for each individual. More information on efficacy would be helpful - and further - side effects can sometimes keep people from taking their medicine. A shift from relying on clinical outcomes to personal quality of life perception need to happen for the empowered patient to take hold.
3) Building trust: with providers and with patients. Pharmaceutical companies should focus on better and open communication with both consumers and providers. While regulations are considered barriers, companies must find a way to foster this dialogue in spite of these barriers.
In general, in heathcare, there needs to be a shift to participatory medicine which will require education and awareness for all stakeholders and specifically providers and patients/their caregivers. We must listen to patients and their caregivers so that we can co-design a better healthcare system together.

In keeping this simple, the portion of the patient centric equation is part owned by the patient. Simply, if the patient is not engaged, then there is no center to relate with; plan efforts are not adapted or information on the disease, treatment and concerns. Non-compliance is a large issue.
I see three distinct demographics with three different approaches to the patient engagement.

1. Commercial members- as they often have a significant financial interest in the disease and or treatment they often seek these centeristic programs. Often demographically young, and technology enabled. They are gainfully employed and participate in the employer’s health and wellness programs. This group gauges quality with research and metrics for providers and or plans.
2. Medicare- Demographically older, often engaged due to the fixed income issues many seniors face based on cost share and perception of value. They are in general terms very frustrated with technology with low adaptation of texting, email and electronic communications in general. Complex issue and instructions often are confused. Often very private and non-trusting to phone calls. Consistency of the plan personnel to out-reach needs to be in place for continuity. Their concept of centeristic care is with the ability to maintain their chosen prescriber. However, the prescriber may be somewhat the issue due to poly pharmacy and this demographic often believing that quality is the number of drugs provided by the prescriber. They listen to those who are known to them and they have need to have confidence in the communications. Verbal needs to be followed up with written. They will act if directed appropriately.
3. Medicaid- Moderately young demographics, families under O-care are often suspicious due to their lifestyle and are not adaptable to strangers or cold calls. Member in this patient class too often resists out-reach by the plan and often members often relocate physically due to hardship financial issues. Often burdened with mental health issues and current or past substance abuse. Often due to the state participation contracts for Medicaid participation as a plan, the member can switch payors, making the analysis of past care difficult.
4. Manufactures can offer useful programs, but they become complex rapidly for the patient to absorb and understand. The patients safe area is non-participation. Tom

Patient-centricity is a term that has gained currency in the pharma industry in recent years, and most major companies in the sector are now dedicating resources to ensure that they put the wishes and needs of patients centre-stage in all of their business activities.
But questions still remain before it is likely to be completely adopted by the pharma industry, such as how should the industry define what true patient-centricity is, and how should progress be measured?