Martin Gisby - The Psychedelic Therapies Reimbursement Challenge

Psychedelic-assisted therapies face significant challenges in securing reimbursement across European healthcare systems as they transition from clinical trials to standard care. These hurdles stem from a mismatch between conventional health technology assessment methodologies and the nature of psychedelic treatments, which involve complex protocols, specialized staff, and uncertain long-term efficacy markers. Developing scalable pathways requires a balanced approach. Practical implementation, such as the described ketamine pilot, demonstrates how integrating psychedelics into existing care frameworks like the National Talking Therapy Service in the UK can manage costs and infrastructure needs. Stakeholders must continue to engage in early, multi-stakeholder dialogue to negotiate evidence requirements and sustainable reimbursement models, ensuring that these therapies eventually become accessible for patients with high-need conditions.