"The prospective return on investment of eHealth is relatively high when compared to the costs inherent in the health sector," argues a Commission report on accelerating the development of the eHealth market in Europe, published in late December 2007.
The report, drafted by a Commission eHealth task force, sketches out a number of policy recommendations for action by 2010.
The recommendations, directed at industry, Member States and other eHealth stakeholders, focus on four main obstacles to the development of the eHealth lead market, namely:
- Reducing market fragmentation and lack of interoperability through pilot actions, benchmarking, standardisation and certification;
- improving legal certainty and consumer acceptance by possibly adopting a legal initiative for eHealth and telemedicine as well as an initiative to enforce personal data protection legislation, disseminating best practice and guidelines;
- optimising funding opportunities through strengthened national and community R&D co-operation on eHealth; and;
- improving procurement by facilitating the expression of public demand through more innovation-friendly procurement activities and networking public procurers.
Just days before the publication of the report, the Commission adopted a new strategy on investing public money in high-risk technological research. The initiative seeks to clarify possible conflicts of this type of investment with EU state aid rules and procurement regulations and envisages flexibility for the Member States to co-operate with suppliers across borders in risk-benefit sharing.
’Aho report’ on Creating an innovative Europe
Lead markets are high-growth potential markets for research and innovation-rich goods and services. The concept was introduced into EU terminology by the ’Aho report’ on Creating an innovative Europe.
The report was the outcome of a small expert group chaired by the former Finnish prime minister, Esko Aho, and appointed by the October 2005 Hampton Court European Council to consider what new efforts are needed in the field of research and innovation to achieve the Lisbon goals.
Lead market initiatives will focus on areas where public authorities can facilitate industry-led innovation by creating favourable legal and regulatory frameworks, setting standards, improving access to risk capital, providing support for research and acting as a launch customer.
E-Health, as ICT solutions for patients, medical services and payment institutions can help deliver better care for less money, is one of these areas.
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For further information:
- The EC Lead Market Initiative
- eHealth webpage on DG Health and Consumer protection
- e-Health - making healthcare better for European citizens: An action plan for a European e-Health Area
EPHA related article:
- Third Ministerial Conference on eHealth
- Commission report on accelarating the develoment of the eHealth market in Europe
- The EC Lead Market Initiative
- ’Aho report’ on Creating an innovative Europe
- Health - making healthcare better for European citizens: An action plan for a European e-Health Area
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Quelle/Source: European Public Health Alliance, 31.01.2008
