Manifesto outlines next steps for digital health in the EU

MedTech Europe, the European association that supports the medical technology industry, has released a manifesto for the period between 2024 and 2029 in which it suggests the next steps to promote health. Entitled “Empowering Patients, Inspiring Innovation”, the text calls on the European Union to develop policies that guarantee access to technologies that improve and save lives and, at the same time, address the evolving demands of European health systems.

The manifesto highlights that digitally advanced, resilient and sustainable health systems that are more patient-centred care are key to tackling the challenges associated with budget and staff shortages, an ageing population, the rise of antimicrobial resistance and the threat of another pandemic, among others. He adds that medical technologies will enable this transformation when they reach patients and health systems.

MedTech Europe emphasizes the need to boldly reimagine healthcare for the digital age, harnessing the power of technology in new healthcare delivery models to give patients more resources and improve the skills of professionals. We also need to ensure a single, transparent approach to digital health.

To achieve this goal, the organization suggests that the European Union seek leadership in the development of the best medical technologies based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support innovation and increase patient access to safe and effective medical devices and services.

Another recommended measure is to invest in digital education for the health sector in order to empower citizens, patients, and professionals to benefit from digital solutions. In addition, it is necessary to ensure European alignment around digital health assessment, increase funding mechanisms and provide guidance and support to harmonize public procurement criteria across the European Union region and thus encourage the acquisition of interoperable medical technologies and other digital health solutions.

With these and other measures, it will be easier to develop a single market for digital health and medical data, aligning the countries of the region in terms of an approach to identification, authentication, security, and interoperability of digital medical technologies.

Other elements of the manifesto

In addition to digitally advanced healthcare systems, the manifesto covers three other characteristics that will need attention over the next five years. Healthcare environments will need to be more patient-centred, resilient and sustainable.

For example, significant efforts are still needed to ensure that all patients on the continent benefit from high-quality care and unrestricted access to medical services. Some suggestions include improving the current evaluation system, certifying new medical technologies and expanding public-private partnerships to promote innovation. This will ultimately benefit patients, with equitable access to treatments that help improve their quality of life.

In terms of resilience, European healthcare systems need to work to retain more healthcare professionals, with the help of personalized technologies, digital solutions and automation. There is also a need to increase European competitiveness and autonomy in the field of critical health materials and components, and to develop effective measures to protect European suppliers of medical technologies from international trade distortions and supply chain disruptions.

Finally, the manifesto emphasizes that embracing sustainability in the health sector will continuously improve health and safety standards to provide better care for patients. With this in mind, it will be necessary to promote partnerships between all members of the healthcare chain to drive change and improve actions in the social, ecological and financial fields of healthcare systems.

Health technology market

Investments in health technologies and the pace of deals are relatively stable for the year after a sharp drop in 2022. Quarterly figures (QoQ) have been relatively stable for the last three quarters, suggesting that we may be in a new investment environment marked by fewer deals, lower figures and a slower pace, according to Silicon Valley Bank’s Future of Healthtech 2023 report.

The main problems that technologies are helping to solve are:

• Medical exhaustion and high administrative burden, integrating technological solutions into workflows in clinics and research centers;
• Seeking better results by offering the right treatment at the right time;
• Focus on behavioral health, guaranteeing access to high-quality mental health care;
• Increased access to preventive healthcare, expanding primary care to avoid more expensive specialized treatments;
• Training for clinical trials, using technology to carry out clinical trials;
• Helping patients to look after their own health, putting patients in charge, outside clinical environments;
• More access to women’s health and better results, drawing attention to the lack of equity in health and the demand for specialized care for women.