Shifting sands in Saudi Arabian healthcare system towards value-based care

Navigating the changing landscape

Bibliographic Data

ID22066930
AuthorsAhmed Al-Jedai (Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Alfaisal University), Ahmed Hamdan Al-Jedai (Alfaisal University), Hajer Almudaiheem (0000-0002-0985-6193, Society for Clinical Research), Wejdan Ibrahim Said Aburas (Ministry of Health), Eid Almutairi (King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre), Maysa Tariq Eshmawi (Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University), Khalid Al Sulaiman (0000-0002-5547-2043, King Abdulaziz Medical City), Essam A Tawfik (0000-0003-0716-3251, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology), Essam Tawfik (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology), Mohammed Al-Luhidan (Saudi Health Council), Mohammad Alowairdhi (Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority), Nancy Awad (CARE International), Rita Ojeil (0000-0001-8078-5597, R2M Solution (Italy)), Mohammed Ahmed Alshennawi (Ministry of Health)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1765428-1765428
Publication date2026-03-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1765428
PMID41929903
OpenAlexW7139115871
LanguageEN
References cited67

The KSA’s healthcare system is undergoing substantial transformation under Vision 2030, with a strategic shift toward value-based healthcare (VBHC). This perspective paper examines the national reform initiatives and implementation readiness using five interrelated domains: data interoperability and governance, health technology assessment (HTA) capacity and availability of local data, policy fragmentation across high-cost therapeutic areas, operational burden of managed entry and risk-sharing agreements, and equity and stakeholder trust. Evidence was synthesized from peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and institutional sources from the Saudi Ministry of Health. The analysis highlights progress in digital health integration, formulary modernization, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, real-world data infrastructure, and expanding use of value-linked reimbursement mechanisms. However, persistent challenges include fragmented digital systems, limited technical capacity for advanced HTA, heterogeneous policy implementation in specialized therapeutic areas, administrative complexity associated with performance-based agreements, and ongoing equity and trust considerations. Emerging methodological advances, including cost-effectiveness thresholds, development of multi-criteria decision analysis frameworks, and establishment of a Saudi-specific EQ-5D-5L valuation, strengthen the foundation for VBHC implementation. In this paper, we have recommended an implementation-oriented assessment of system enablers and constraints and identifies priority areas to support scalable, evidence-based, and sustainable adoption of VBHC in the KSA

Formulary · Health care · Health technology · Healthcare system · Interoperability · Reimbursement · Stakeholder · Strategic planning · Global Maternal and Child Health · Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life · Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy

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