Paris focuses on genomic medicine and e-healthFrance is pushing ahead with its health strategy. On the one hand, the government wants to make processes in medical care more efficient, on the other hand, it wants to strengthen public health – and the health industry.
By Matthias Wallenfels Published: 15.08.2016, 06:23 PM
France relies on healthcare as a driving force.
France aims to remain a leader in innovation. Health is only one of the vehicles Paris relies on. For example, in July, Health Minister Marisol Touraine presented the national e-health 2020 strategy ("Strategie nationale e-sante 2020").
This plan aims, among other things, to accompany healthcare stakeholders in the digital transformation, building on innovation. Shortly before, Yves Levy, chairman of the Aviesan research alliance and managing director of the French Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm), presented the French genomic medicine plan ("Plan France Medecine Genomique 2025") to Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
The government-driven plan aims to make France a leader in genomic medicine over the next decade. The plan aims to address public health challenges – diagnosis, prognosis and treatment – and contribute to the development of a French medical and industrial sector in the field of genomic medicine.
Both plans are intended to show that Paris has recognized the signs of the times.
Digital medicine, co-innovation& Co
One focus of the French e-health strategy is the development of digital medicine through the "Big Data in Health" plan. For example, new remote monitoring systems or methods for evaluating medical data and aiding diagnosis could be used, they say.
Furthermore, to promote co-innovation between medical professionals, citizens and economic actors through e-health tenders and the development of living labs to work with users on the medicine of the future. In addition, the simplification of regulatory processes for patients will be. Seeking the development of a digital platform for patient participation. Not the least of which is to strengthen the security of health information systems.
According to the Ministry of Health, the strategy will be implemented starting in the fall of 2016 under the leadership of a strategic council with representatives from professionals, users, industry and public institutions. This strategy complements the actions initiated since 2012.
These actions are, for example, the digital hospital program, the digital health territories program, the promotion of the Dossier Medical Partage (electronic patient record) and telemedicine testing. In addition, Touraine announced in May 2015 an investment program worth two billion euros. Areas of focus include digitization and information systems.
Ethics council to be involved in genomic medicine
Access to and use of genomic data raises numerous ethical ies at the individual and societal level. For this reason, the genomic medicine plan for France foresees, in addition to the participation of society, the involvement of the French Ethics Council. The plan is intended to achieve four goals.
In detail, it is about identifying the importance of genome sequencing for today's medicine and future developments, as well as positioning France in the field of genomic medicine, setting priorities in line with the national health and research strategy, assessing the innovative, economic, technological and ethical challenges and, last but not least, proposing a long-term medical-economic model.
The French genomic medicine plan is divided into three priorities and 14 actions. Subsumed here are the development of tools for genome-based treatment, the establishment of 12 sequencing platforms in France, the creation of a data collection and analysis tool for processing, evaluating and linking Big Data in medicine, and ensuring the technical and ethical framework is in place.
Implementation of genome-based treatment
In addition, the implementation of genome-based treatment, including consent, sample collection and transport, quality control, the introduction of an evaluation and confirmation procedure of the conditions for access to genomic medicine, and the establishment of a reference, innovation, competence and transfer center.
In addition, according to Inserm, the plan foresees the introduction of training on digital and genomic health within universities and schools, ensuring high-quality treatment and contributing to the rapid development of the genomic medicine industry.
Industrial, academic and public stakeholders are to be involved. Further aspects are the monitoring of international developments, the realization of a research program on medical-economic aspects as well as information, consultation and participation of society.