UK patient records to open?
December 6, 2011
A CONTROVERSIAL plan by the
British government will allow drug
companies to access medical
records held by the UK’s National
Health Service.
According to reports, the plan would
keep all patient records anonymous
and would set a default that allows
them to be used for research
purposes, unless the patient explicitly
opts not to allow their records to
be available to researchers.
The opening of files to
researchers would, according to the
Government, make it easier for
drug companies to develop and
test new drugs and treatments.
“The most crucial, fundamental
thing we’re doing is opening up the
NHS to new ideas,” said the British
Prime Minister, David Cameron.
“The end-game is for the NHS to
be working hand-in-glove with
industry as the fastest adopter of
new ideas in the world, acting as a
huge magnet to pull new
innovations through, right along
the food chain — from the labs to
the boardrooms to the hospital
bed,” he added.
Whilst warmly welcomed by drug
manufacturers and researchers,
the proposal has met with criticism
from some groups with concerns
over privacy and confidentiality.
“Our records should not be
passed around by the Department
of Health as they see fit or sold to
private companies without our
permission,” said a statement from
Patient Concern.
MEANWHILE the British Govt
also announced plans for an Early
Access Scheme which could allow
seriously ill patients access to new
drugs up to 12 months before they
are fully approved.
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