Podcast
PwC's Next in Health
Hosted by PwC's Health Industries · EN
Hosted by Glenn Hunzinger, US Health Industries Leader, the Next in Health podcast series offers insights on the most important issues facing pharma, medtech, and healthcare. PwC business leaders discuss the latest trends and their impact on health industries, whether it is policy, AI, innovation, care delivery, business model reinvention, or bold moves shaping the future. If it is happening in health industries, we are talking about it.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Deals Outlook 2026: What’s ahead for pharma and life sciences
Dec 1900:11:14Tap to summarizeTune in as Glenn Hunzinger and Roel van den Akker share their outlook for pharmaceutical and life sciences dealmaking in 2026. They discuss improving market conditions, innovation driven growth, and how upcoming loss of exclusivity is shaping deal strategy. Discussion highlights: Strong innovation, healthy balance sheets, and improving capital markets support a positive outlook for 2026 M&A is expected to remain precision-led and asset-focused, centered on differentiated science and key therapeutic areas Accelerating loss of exclusivity (2026–2029) is increasing reliance on external innovation Mid-sized deals have dominated, but clearer policy and better financing may enable larger strategic transactions As innovation globalizes, companies are sourcing assets more deliberately worldwide, with the US remaining a core life sciences hub Speakers: Glenn Hunzinger, US Health Industries Leader, PwC Roel van den Akker, US Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Deals Leader, PwCLinked Materials:https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/pharma-life-sciences-deals-outlook.htmlhttps://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/medtech-deals-outlook.htmlhttps://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/health-services-deals-outlook.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →Reinventing Healthcare - Seizing the $1 Trillion Breakthrough
Oct 2100:33:48Tap to summarizeWhat will healthcare look like a decade from now? Host Glenn Hunzinger is joined by Greg Rotz, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Advisory Leader and Thom Bales, Principal, Health Services Advisory Leader, as they dive into the future of health—one driven by smarter tech, empowered consumers, and breakthrough science. From reimagining chronic care to building new business models, discover the mindset, partnerships, and capabilities that will define the next era of healthcare.Discussion highlights:A trillion-dollar shift: who gains and who falls behindThe rise of the super consumer and personalized careWhy experience design will become core to life sciencesHow health orgs can prepare with “no regrets” strategic movesCollaborating across the ecosystem to drive faster, better, cheaper care Speakers:Glenn Hunzinger, US Health Industries Leader, PwCGreg Rotz, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Advisory Leader, PwCThom Bales, Health Services Advisory Leader, PwCLinked materials:From breaking point to breakthrough: the $1 trillion opportunity to reinvent healthcareFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for the Future of U.S. Healthcare
Aug 1, 202500:15:23Tap to summarizeTune in as Glenn Hunzinger, PwC’s Health Industries Leader, sits down with Nichole Montgomery, Shannon O’Shea, and Phil Sclafani to unpack the sweeping implications of the newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). With nearly a third of the bill dedicated to healthcare, the team explores how this landmark legislation will reshape coverage, funding, and delivery across the payer, provider, and pharma landscape.Discussion highlights:The OBBBA introduces new work requirements and eligibility rules that could lead to coverage loss for over 13 million people, placing new burdens on payers and statesProviders face increased uncompensated care, especially in rural areas, with added administrative complexity and a push toward technology and alternative care modelsPayers are bracing for membership loss, reduced Medicaid funding, and increased administrative load as new eligibility rules take effectPharma may see reduced demand from public programs but gains through an orphan drug exemption and incentives for domestic manufacturingThe bill’s sweeping changes will disrupt healthcare, but with foresight, organizations can model financial impact, prepare for operational disruption, and plan strategic responsesSpeakers:Glenn Hunzinger (host), Health Industries Leader, PwCShannon O'Shea, Principal, Health Transformation, Provider Clinical Transformation, PwCPhil Scalfani, Principal, Customer Transformation, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences, PwCNichole Montgomery, Principal, Health Transformation, Health Services, PwCLinked Materials:https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/impact-of-obbba-on-us-health-system.html https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-policy-and-intelligence-institute.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →Strategic Dealmaking in Health: Navigating Midyear Trends in 2025
Jul 10, 202500:19:39Tap to summarizeTune in as Glenn Hunzinger, PwC’s Health Industries Leader, connects with Nick Donkar, PwC’s U.S. Health Services Deals Leader, and Roel Van den Akker, PwC’s Pharma and Life Sciences Deals Leader, to discuss the 2025 midyear deals outlook across health services and pharma and life sciences. They explore how macroeconomic trends, regulatory pressures, and evolving investment strategies are shaping M&A activity and where new opportunities may emerge as companies look ahead to the second half of the year. Discussion highlights: Health services deal volume remains resilient, with renewed investor interest in behavioral health, physician groups, and home-based care modelsPrivate equity firms are focused on outpatient growth platforms and niche services like revenue cycle management to navigate cost and regulatory headwindsPharma and life sciences dealmaking is centered on targeted, asset driven M&A in the $1 to $5 billion range, rather than full scale platform acquisitionsRegulatory uncertainty from FDA resource constraints to evolving policies on pricing and probability of technical and regulatory success (PTRS), is complicating deal modeling and slowing transaction timelinesU.S. biopharma companies are increasingly sourcing early stage innovation from China, introducing new strategic opportunities along with cross border compliance and data challengesSpeakers:Glenn Hunzinger, Health Industries Leader, PwCNick Donkar, US Healthcare Deals LeaderRoel Van den Akker, US Pharma & Life Sciences Deals Leader Linked materials:https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/health-services-deals-outlook.htmlhttps://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/pharma-life-sciences-deals-outlook.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →Taking a closer look at the Most Favored Nation Pricing Executive Order
Jun 3, 202500:16:47Tap to summarizeTune in as Glenn Hunzinger, PwC’s Health Industries Leader, and Phil Scalfani, PwC’s Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Consulting Leader, discuss the Trump administration’s executive order on Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing and its far-reaching implications across the healthcare ecosystem. They break down what MFN pricing could mean for pharmaceutical companies, payers, PBMs, and the broader drug supply chain, and share perspectives on how organizations can navigate the uncertainty ahead. Discussion Highlights: The MFN executive order is a bold attempt to lower U.S. drug prices by benchmarking them against the lowest prices paid in other high-income countriesPharma companies may be forced to rethink global pricing strategies, balancing U.S. price cuts with potential increases or market exits abroadA proposed shift to direct-to-consumer drug access could disrupt traditional roles for pharmacies, distributors, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)Companies are preparing for significant uncertainty by reassessing deals, modeling financial impacts, and closely monitoring upcoming rulemaking and potential legal developmentsSpeakers:Glenn Hunzinger, Health Industries Leader, PwCPhilip Sclafani, Partner, Pharma & Life Sciences, PwCLinked materials:Most Favored Nation prescription drug pricing Executive OrderFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →Navigating the FDA disruption: 4 key actions for pharma
May 23, 202500:10:05Tap to summarizeTune in as Glenn Hunzinger, PwC’s Health Industries Leader, connects with Matt Rich, PwC’s Pharma and Life Sciences R&D Leader, to unpack the recent disruption at the FDA and what it means for the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. They discuss how companies can stay agile in the face of regulatory uncertainty, avoid preventable delays, and take practical steps to move programs forward with clarity.Discussion highlights:Ongoing restructuring at the FDA is creating uncertainty and delays in drug and device approvals, with wide-ranging impacts across the pharma, biotech and medtech landscape.While companies can’t control the regulatory environment, they can focus on improving internal speed, efficiency, and submission quality to keep programs moving forwardAvoiding preventable missteps, or “foot faults,” in data, endpoints, and submission packages is critical to reducing review delays and regulatory pushbackDiversifying risk by pursuing parallel regulatory pathways in other regions such as Europe and Japan can help accelerate access and reduce dependency on a single agencyIn the absence of a clear playbook, companies should focus on what they can control by applying past lessons, staying disciplined, and collaborating across the industry to support more efficient FDA review processesSpeakers:Matt Rich, PwC’s Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences R&D LeaderGlenn Hunzinger, Partner, Health Industries Leader, PwCLinked materials:Navigating the FDA disruption: 4 key actions for pharmaFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →Next in Health: The 2025 Outlook for Health Services
Feb 17, 202500:30:57Tap to summarizeTune in as PwC specialists discuss the 2025 healthcare outlook, reflecting on 2024’s significant events and exploring how payers and providers can navigate rising costs, scrutiny, AI advances, and policy shifts with resilience and adaptability. Topics include:Medicare and Medicaid drive industry growth amid rising competition, market exits, M&A, AI adoption, and policy challenges.AI's potential to enhance healthcare delivery, improve workforce management, and optimize patient care.The care-at-home market is growing rapidly, driven by demand and cost efficiency, but sustainability remains a challenge.Encouragement for healthcare organizations to adapt and innovate in response to policy shifts and technological advancements.Speakers:Thom Bales, Health Services Leader, PwCAlena Taylor, Principal, PwCRuchita Kewalramani, Principal, PwCGlenn Hunzinger, Health Industries Leader, PwCJenny Colapietro, Consulting Commercial Leader, PwCLinked materials:Next in Health: The 2025 Outlook for Health Services: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/healthcare-trends.htmlHealth Policy and Intelligence Institute: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-policy-and-intelligence-institute.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →Health Industries: U.S. Deals Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
Jan 6, 202500:25:18Tap to summarizeTune in to listen as PwC’s leaders Roel van den Akker and Nick Donkar provide insights into the 2024 deals landscape and offer a preview of what lies ahead. Topics include:Key topics include:A look back at M&A activity in health industries in 2024The challenges and potential impediments that could affect deal volumes in the coming yearHow artificial intelligence and tech innovations are reshaping the volume and nature of healthcare transactionsKey trends and developments to watch for with emphasis on growth, strategic assessments and regulatory factorsSpeakers:Roel van den Akker, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Deals Leader, PwCNick Donkar, Health Services Deals Leader, PwCJenny Colapietro, Consulting Commercial Leader, PwCLinked materials:https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/health-services-deals-outlook.htmlhttps://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/pharma-life-sciences-deals-outlook.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →PwC’s 2024 US Healthcare Climate Survey
Dec 18, 202400:14:57Tap to summarizeTune in as authors of PwC's U.S. Healthcare Climate Survey discuss key findings and provide insights into understanding healthcare organizations' responses to climate change, the integration of climate strategies, and the challenges faced in implementation.Key topics include:The survey's background, focus, and objectives that address the prioritization of climate strategies by healthcare organizations in response to climate change impactsDifferences in climate strategy approaches across sectors, reveals significant disparities in priorities and operational needs amongst payers, providers, pharmaceutical, and medtech companiesKey statistics and insights on organizational behavior and perceptions related to climate strategy integration, sustainability, and the impact on human healthConsiderations for healthcare stakeholders to enhance climate strategy implementation and address the evolving needs of diverse communities affected by climate changeSpeakers:Mackenzie Daly, Partner, PwCStacie Gitkin, Director, PwCJenny Colapietro, Consulting Commercial Leader, PwCLinked materials:https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/impact-of-climate-change-on-human-health.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
Transcribe →PwC's U.S. Healthcare Consumer Insights and Engagement Survey
Dec 13, 202400:20:40Tap to summarizeTune in as authors of PwC's U.S. Healthcare Consumer Insights and Engagement Survey discuss key findings and provide insights into understanding consumer concerns around healthcare costs, the adoption of tech-enabled healthcare, trust in the healthcare system and how we can take action. Key topics include:The survey's background, focus and objectives that will address ongoing consumer concerns and distrust in the healthcare systemGenerational and financial differences reveal significant disparities in healthcare experiences and engagement amongst various age groups Notable key statistics and insights on consumer behavior and perceptions related to trust, affordability, delayed care and digital health across the health ecosystemConsiderations for healthcare stakeholders to enhance care delivery and to address the evolving needs of diverse patient populationsSpeakers:Thom Bales, Health Services Leader, PwCKeith Fengler, Customer Service and Channels Lead, PwC, Omar Chane, Principal, PwC. Jenny Colapietro, Consulting Commercial Leader, PwCLinked materials:https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/healthcare-consumer-insights-survey.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.
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