As part of the Nova SBE Health Economics & Management Knowledge Center’s participation at the EuHEA Conference 2026, Francisco Vital Marques presented his research and chaired a session on Pharmaceutical Economics & Pricing.
Following the conference, Francisco shared a personal reflection on the experience, highlighting the value of international scientific exchange, the opportunity to engage with different health systems and the importance of learning from researchers across countries and institutions.
Read Francisco Vital Marques’ full testimony below.
Every two years the European Health Economics Association (EuHEA) organizes the main European Congress for Health Economics. Recently, I had the chance to present my work at this year’s edition at Erasmus University in Rotterdam.
Under the theme “Bridging Health Economics Excellence in Research & Practice”, EuHEA Congress 2026 delivered outstanding quality across every session I attended. Throughout the programme, it was evident that researchers were focused on the practical implications of their findings and constantly exchanging views on how these conclusions could be translated in each one’s country.
Moreover, I had the chance to present my research “Avoidable Co-Payments under Reference Pricing: Evidence from Portugal”, which analyses the impact of avoidable co-payments of medicines (costs that could be avoided if cheaper medicines were chosen) in the Portuguese ambulatory market. By using a comprehensive database of transactions of medicines belonging to the Reference Price System, the study aims to quantify this burden and highlight policy changes that could strengthen financial protection for families. Sharing my work with an international audience sparked incredibly valuable feedback.
The social event at the Great Church (St. Lawrence Church) was also a highlight of the Congress. Sharing an evening with colleagues from across Europe in such a historic setting was a fitting way to complement three days of intense academic exchange.
As a young researcher it was an outstanding opportunity to exchange insights, connect and above all learn from established scholars. It was fascinating to dive into each country’s unique health policies and apprehend their specific opportunities and constraints. Additionally, understanding the diVerent approaches and analysis techniques used across borders gave me fresh perspectives to bring back to my own work.
I could not finish this article without thanking all the Nova SBE Health Economics & Management Knowledge Center community members who made this Congress memorable, and to wish Professor Céu Mateus good luck in her new role as President of EuHEA for the next two years!
These were an unforgettable three days. I am excited to continue my research journey, confident that the next EuHEA conference in 2028 will bring even more groundbreaking research. À bientôt, Paris!
Francisco’s reflection highlights the importance of conferences such as EuHEA as spaces for learning, collaboration and the exchange of perspectives across different health economics contexts.
Read more about the participation of the Nova SBE Health Economics & Management Knowledge Center at EuHEA Conference 2026 here.