Discussion points from the Science|Business Executive Forum, UCL, London, 5 November 2008. These discussion points informed the conference on 6 December entitled The Future Delivery of Medicine: 2020.
1. TECHNOLOGY and PROCESSES
Convergence - of once-disparate technologies in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostic equipment, bioinformatics, medical imaging and other fields.
Genomics - By 2020 every patient will have their genome sequenced, driving improvements in diagnosis and treatments, paving the way to personalised medicine
Prevention and early detection - of disease with biomarkers and other diagnostic devices.
Patients will do more for themselves through self-monitoring. In parallel, there will be a move to less invasive treatments
A new view of clinical studies – in research intensive hospital data and outcomes for every patient coming through the door will be captured and analysed.
2. MONEY
Finance – is needed across the piece, from funding for basic research, to seed funding for start-ups, venture finance for commercialisation.
Affordability and reimbursement – how will these products and improved services be funded?
A new view of value – advanced treatments may be expensive – but they will lead to cost savings elsewhere. Health Technology Assessments need to broaden out in the face of this new paradigml
Venture capitalists - and other investors – must embrace and help to drive the vision.
3. PEOPLE
Technology transfer – the vision to be delivered there must be real links between universities and industry and patients.
Personalised medicine - put patients at the centre and let them decide if they want to take risk of being in a trial, or have a treatment.
Data protection, privacy and management - biobanks and data repositories are at heart of this movement – we need to look at ownership of data, how it is transmitted, how large datasets are managed.
Partnership – the public needs to be consulted and in particular younger people need to be asked for their views
Evolution of the healthcare profession – with support from expert systems and monitoring healthcare will become more formulaic. Making clinical judgements will be open to people with less expert training.
4. GLOBAL TRENDS
Ageing populations – increasing the burden of chronic diseases.
Growing health inequality – not only in developing countries, but also from one developed country to another.
Regulators – there is a need for harmonisation of regulatory authorities worldwide.
1. TECHNOLOGY and PROCESSES
Convergence - of once-disparate technologies in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostic equipment, bioinformatics, medical imaging and other fields.
Genomics - By 2020 every patient will have their genome sequenced, driving improvements in diagnosis and treatments, paving the way to personalised medicine
Prevention and early detection - of disease with biomarkers and other diagnostic devices.
Patients will do more for themselves through self-monitoring. In parallel, there will be a move to less invasive treatments
A new view of clinical studies – in research intensive hospital data and outcomes for every patient coming through the door will be captured and analysed.
2. MONEY
Finance – is needed across the piece, from funding for basic research, to seed funding for start-ups, venture finance for commercialisation.
Affordability and reimbursement – how will these products and improved services be funded?
A new view of value – advanced treatments may be expensive – but they will lead to cost savings elsewhere. Health Technology Assessments need to broaden out in the face of this new paradigml
Venture capitalists - and other investors – must embrace and help to drive the vision.
3. PEOPLE
Technology transfer – the vision to be delivered there must be real links between universities and industry and patients.
Personalised medicine - put patients at the centre and let them decide if they want to take risk of being in a trial, or have a treatment.
Data protection, privacy and management - biobanks and data repositories are at heart of this movement – we need to look at ownership of data, how it is transmitted, how large datasets are managed.
Partnership – the public needs to be consulted and in particular younger people need to be asked for their views
Evolution of the healthcare profession – with support from expert systems and monitoring healthcare will become more formulaic. Making clinical judgements will be open to people with less expert training.
4. GLOBAL TRENDS
Ageing populations – increasing the burden of chronic diseases.
Growing health inequality – not only in developing countries, but also from one developed country to another.
Regulators – there is a need for harmonisation of regulatory authorities worldwide.
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