2025 was a year of sharp contrasts for global healthcare. Systems faced sustained cost pressures, rising workforce shortages and skills gaps, and rising political and regulatory uncertainty in emerging areas like digital health. The ripple effects of U.S. actions – such as the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) pricing policy and spiked trade tariffs – instilled a deep sense of concern and vulnerability among patients, policymakers, and private players worldwide.
At the same time, major scientific and technological advances - from metabolic therapies to AI-driven diagnostics - opened the door to new models of care. We saw countries embedding and institutionalising value-based approaches at different levels, digital health integration accelerated, and long-standing gaps in areas like women’s health and fertility gained long-awaited policy attention.
As we move into 2026, the sector is bracing for a more structured phase of reform, where innovation must be matched with sustainable delivery models, strong evidence demonstrating value for cost, and clearer health-policy direction to address rising health crises especially across areas of NCDs and women’s health. Below we explore some key trends and movements to watch for next year.
Trade and geopolitics
Global supply chains for medicines remain under pressure as tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and rising production costs reshape the market. The U.S. has led a strong push toward reshoring essential pharmaceutical manufacturing, while Europe and parts of Asia are exploring more selective forms of “strategic autonomy.” These shifts not only impact security: they also affect pricing. Higher input costs and supply uncertainty are forcing manufacturers and health systems to reassess pricing models, sourcing strategies, and long-term procurement agreements. In 2026, we can expect greater emphasis on partnerships, diversification of suppliers, and policies aimed at stabilizing access to critical health products.
Cost pressures and a more institutionalized shift to value-based healthcare (VBC)
As health systems faced rising costs, supply-chain uncertainty, and tighter budgets throughout 2025, many governments moved from talking about value-based care to testing it. Several countries introduced new HTA reforms, outcome-based agreements, and early examples of value-based procurement, especially in oncology and chronic disease.
What became clear is that value-based care is not only about reducing prices; it is about reducing risk. Payers want evidence that new therapies will deliver consistent results in the real world and that investment aligns with measurable patient outcomes.
In 2026, we expect to see stronger links between pricing and performance, better real-world evidence systems, and more pressure on manufacturers to demonstrate long-term impact rather than short-term trial benefits. The shift will favor companies that can partner with health systems, share data responsibly, and commit to delivering sustained clinical value
The future of obesity and diabetes drugs: Integrating a new generation of metabolic therapies into health systems
Obesity and diabetes drugs are evolving into broader metabolic therapies with potential benefits across cardiovascular, renal, and liver health. Their long-term impact could be substantial, but only if health systems can integrate them effectively. In 2026, the focus will shift from demand management to building the right infrastructure: clearer prescribing criteria, stronger primary-care pathways, and consistent follow-up to support adherence and monitor outcomes.
Reimbursement models will also need to adapt. Covering these therapies widely without prioritization risks overwhelming budgets, yet overly restrictive access limits their preventive value. As next-generation oral incretins and multi-agonists emerge, more systems will test outcome-based agreements and phased coverage to ensure investment aligns with measurable improvements in population health.
Women’s health and fertility: The global infertility crisis comes into focus
Infertility rates are rising worldwide, yet investment, policy attention, and reimbursement mechanisms still lag need. The narrative that fertility care is a “lifestyle choice” is losing credibility as more countries recognize infertility as a medical condition. In 2025, several markets, from Japan to the UAE expanded coverage for ART and fertility preservation, but access remains deeply unequal. The year ahead is likely to see stronger pushes for national fertility strategies, better regulation of femtech, and renewed debate on employer-funded fertility benefits. The unresolved tension is how to make these solutions equitable rather than perks for the privileged few.
Embracing for new frontiers in digital health
2025 saw a tidal wave of technology in healthcare, from intelligent surgery to improved, hyper speed systems for rapid diagnostics. For example, this yar Quire.AI launched the world's first AI-powered pediatric TB screening tool – revolutionizing infectious disease diagnostics for children. However, many countries still have fundamental disconnects between inflexible regulatory frameworks and the dynamic, evolving nature of modern ML systems. In 2026, we can expect to see critical shifts that pave the way for adoption of innovative technologies, such as more public-private partnerships to cover funding gaps, regulatory sandboxing, and more formal discussions on cross-border regulatory harmonization.
Telehealth will no longer be a ‘nice to have’, but will increasingly become the norm. In 2025, telehealth services became embedded across healthcare systems globally, with hospitals and clinics integrating virtual consultations as a standard part of patient care. The market is expanding at 24.73% between 2026 and 2035. 2026 will see much more structural changes in care delivery and access driven by digital, more efficient tools. This will be especially evident in LMICs, which will benefit from lower prices. For example, Halodoc in Indonesia has demonstrated that the overall cost of telemedicine (including consultations and medication) is 3 times lower than in-person.
Conclusion
As the sector moves into 2026, it is bracing for a more structured phase of reform where innovation must be matched with sustainable delivery models and clear health-policy direction. We can expect greater emphasis on partnerships and diversification of suppliers to stabilize access to critical health products.
Furthermore, the shift toward value-based care will favor companies that can partner with health systems and commit to delivering sustained clinical value, while telehealth will increasingly become the norm rather than a "nice to have".
