Words by Jade Williams
Ministers are set to change legislation to enable broader access to NHS data for researchers and pharmaceutical companies, emphasising that they will not shy away from monetising this valuable resource.
Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, highlighted the importance of leveraging this data to drive economic growth and enhance R&D within the UK. Commenting in The Times, he stated there is an “imperative” to boost research by making it easier for companies to conduct this work in the UK.
With the wealth of NHS data available, the UK has a unique asset that offers a competitive advantage in the life sciences sector – one that could enable researchers to advance their discovery of new therapeutics.
Commenting on Labour’s commitment, Janet Valentine, Executive Director, Innovation and Research Policy, ABPI, seemingly backed the move. She said that “access to anonymised health data is vital for the development of new effective medicines and treatments which improve patients’ lives”.
The NHS is recognised globally as an invaluable data source, which could be pivotal for the development of new therapies. However, the use of anonymous NHS medical records has previously faced challenges due to technical limitations and privacy concerns.
The upcoming changes aim to address these issues, paving the way for more efficient and impactful research collaborations between government and the industry.
