UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ex-cabinet minister Greg Clark backs easier NHS data access for pharma companies, aiming to advance treatments and boost economic growth.
As reported by The Independent, a former minister calls for pharma access to NHS data to aid research.
What did Greg Clark say about the UK’s global competitiveness?
Greg Clark, former business secretary under Theresa May, supports a report claiming it could save lives and inject billions into the nation’s economy.
He said Britain,
“cannot hope to compete on the international stage without… the right policies.”
Mr Clark, now chairing the SCI’s board of trustees, stated the organisation understands
“first-hand the extent of our country’s considerable potential in life sciences… with world-leading academic institutions and a swathe of start-up potential, the UK has all the ingredients it needs to be a global leader in the sector.”
He stated,
“However, we cannot hope to compete on the international stage without first having the right policies in place. Our research highlights meaningful action that policymakers can take to realise the future of UK life sciences.”
What did Jake Moore say about sharing health data with pharma?
Jake Moore, a global cybersecurity advisor at ESET Internet Security, stated,
“Sharing your health data with pharmaceutical companies has the power of helping advance medical research but it also carries worrying privacy and security risks for people to be vigilant of.”
He said,
“Unfortunately, even anonymised data could raise privacy concerns as there’s the risk that your information could be used for commercial gain without clear benefit to you, or even shared further without your knowledge.”
Mr Moore added,
“Ethical issues around consent, transparency and data security mean it’s incredibly important to understand who will access your data, how it will be used and what safeguards are in place before agreeing to share it. All of which is often an afterthought for those whose data it is. But as with encrypted communications, even limited access can be exploited leading to much bigger problems in cybersecurity and privacy.”
Why do pharma companies want easier access to NHS data?
The NHS holds one of the largest and most detailed health data sets, covering over 60 million patients.
The size of NHS health records, pharma insiders say, holds the potential to reveal trends that could lead to innovative treatments.
Easier access to NHS data for commercial research may add over £10 billion to the UK economy each year. This finding, from LEK Consulting and commissioned by SCI, argues that it could accelerate new drug discoveries.
What did GlaxoSmithKline’s boss say about easier access to NHS data?
In 2023, the head of GlaxoSmithKline urged drug firms to have access to NHS patient records.
Dame Emma Walmsley pressed ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for action. She argued that sharing anonymised files could prevent illness. This data could lead to more efficient disease prevention and care.
NHS England stated that certain NHS data can be shared with other organisations only when it is “necessary and proportionate.”
What did Wes Streeting say about new radiotherapy machines and patient care?
Wes Streeting, the health secretary, stated,
“By reducing the number of hospital visits required and preventing cancelled appointments, these state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time.”
He added,
“As a cancer survivor, I know just how important timely treatment is. These machines are part of the investment and modernisation that will cut waiting times for patients, through our plan for change.”
How did the DHSC describe the impact of the £70m investment in NHS equipment?
A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said,
“Years of underinvestment in the NHS has left it with outdated, creaking machinery that breaks down and causes thousands of cancelled appointments.”
They added,
“That’s why we are announcing £70m investment in new radiotherapy machines, using cutting-edge equipment to save 13,000 cancelled appointments a year, cut waiting times for treatment, and modernise the health service. While there is more to do, our change plan has put the NHS on the road to recovery.”