From Provider to Partner – Strategic Procurement in Health and Preparedness

Norway's procurement and pricing models in health are largely optimized for short-term cost efficiency. This may come at the cost of broader policy objectives: supply security, preparedness, innovation capacity, and industrial resilience. In defense, procurement has long been used with strategic intent. It is about building capacity and partnerships over time, not just buying at the lowest cost in a given year. Long-term agreements, sustained industry dialogue, and shared expectations on both sides have enabled more strategic outcomes. Healthcare procurement remains largely transactional by comparison. Norway has strong public finances, high institutional trust, and well-developed research environments. These are a solid basis for a more strategic approach. What can the healthcare sector learn from defense procurement? Which elements are transferable, and where are the differences too significant? How can procurement frameworks balance cost control with preparedness and supply security, while preserving patient access? The meeting features two panel discussions, with a short mingling break between them: Panel 1 - Is the system fit for purpose? Exploring current challenges and realities Panel 2 - What would it take, in practice ? Discussing concrete steps and solutions Thank you to our partners: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, Eli Lilly, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Merck, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and Takeda.