The Lead Market Initiative (LMI) for Europe was launched by the European Commission following the EU's 2006 Broad based innovation strategy. The Lead Market Initiative for Europe will foster the emergence of lead markets of high economic and societal value. eHealth was chosen to be one of the six markets of the LMI initiative due to its market potential in terms of growing demand and market growth opportunities, changing demographics and disease patterns, and healthcare capabilities.
As part of the LMI for eHealth, a roadmap of policy recommendations for the period 2008-2010 has been developed in cooperation with an European Commission-wide task-force including representatives from several DGs. In the action plan of the LMI in the area of eHealth the focus is on the following challenges that are proposed to be addressed within the framework of the Lead Market Initiative:
A) Market fragmentation and lack of interoperability
Action 1: Launch pilot actions under the CIP
Action 2: Introduce eHealth Innovation Scorecards/Benchmarking
Action 3: Coordination actions including exchange of best practices at i2010 sub-group meetings and annual eHealth conferences
Action 4: Adopt Recommendation on eHealth interoperability
Action 5: Favour the application of Recommendation on eHealth interoperability by enhancing cooperation between Member States to build coherence in their health systems
Action 6: Define required standards, establish review committee to identify focus areas
Action 7: Issue guidelines for certification of eHealth applications
Action 8: form expert group to encourage Member States to establish a coordinated work programme
B) Lack of legal certainty
Action 9: Screen existing EU legislation related to eHealth and provide clarification and guidance for applying the legal framework for eHealth products and services
Action 10: Analyse possibilities for adoption of a legal initiative for eHealth and telemedicine
Action 11: Adopt initiative to enforce Personal Data Protection legislation for products and services
Action 12: Promote knowledge and information dissemination on safe and secure eHealth products and use of existing infrastructure to protect consumers networks, best practice repositories, hotlines
Action 13: Introduce the Electronic Health Insurance Card (eEHIC)
Action 14: Improve legal clarity regarding medical reimbursement based on recommendations from the Health Services Initiative
Action 15: Provide citizens with relevant and up-to-date information on cross-border health services
C) Insufficient availability of financial support and Procurement issues
Action 16: Provide guidance on financing from such funding mechanisms as the EU structural funds and European Investment Bank initiatives specific to eHealth domain - workshops, networks etc
Action 17: Strengthen R&D on ICT for Health in FP7 and in Member States programmes
Action 18: Strengthen cooperation between national and community R&D testing and pilots, involve users in RTD actions
Action 19: Promote networking and cooperation among public procurers in the development process of new solutions
Action 20: Associate procurers in consultation process for CIP and FP7 calls for proposals
These four main obstacles to the development of the eHealth domain are addressed by twenty measurable actions. The objectives have been reached for most of the actions proposed and deadlines have been respected, with no particular need to change or adapt the actions.
For further information:
ICT for Health
European Commission - Information society and Media DG
Office: BU31 06/73 B-1049 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 296 41 94
Fax: +32 2 296 01 81
http://europa.eu/information_society/eHealth