Should Patients Have to Opt Out of Electronic Records?
The potential benefits of sharing patient electronic records within health systems are broadly agreed, but concerns remain over patient consent and security. Experts in this week’s BMJ discuss how patients should consent to use of electronic records in the NHS and how the data can be kept secure.
There are two broad schools of thought. The first (the opt-out model) is for the public to be informed of the NHS care records service and to be given a chance to opt out if they do not want their clinical records shared within the NHS. The second model is for no sharing to occur until people have expressed their desire to share their clinical records within the NHS (the opt-in model).
Nigel Watson, Chief Executive of Wessex Local Medical Committees, has experienced an opt-out approach and believes that this is the way forward.
Gen-Probe and Bayer to settle patent disputes
Gen-Probe has announced that Bayer HealthCare LLC has agreed to end a series of disputes involving multiple patent litigations and contract arbitrations.
Under the binding terms of the agreement, Gen-Probe will withdraw its patent litigation against Bayer and will grant Bayer immunity from suit with respect to all existing and future Gen-Probe patents for all of Bayer’s current nucleic acid diagnostic products. Further, future Bayer products will be immune from suit under four specified Gen-Probe patent families. Also, Bayer will grant Gen-Probe immunity from suit under certain Bayer patents with respect to Gen-Probe’s current TIGRIS instrument and future instruments. As part of the agreement, Bayer will pay Gen-Probe certain lump sum royalties over the next 18 months.
Research into Parkinson’s Disease receives a boost
Research into Parkinson’s Disease at the University of Dundee has received a boost from a fundraising campaign organised by the Falkirk Branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society.
In 2005 over 100 people participated in a sponsored walk using the local canal network around Falkirk as a route and raised ?5,500 for research into the disease.
Dr Anton Gartner, a Principal Investigator in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee will be presented with the cheque on 29 June 2006 by Dr Richard Lenton, the President of the Falkirk Branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society and a Consultant Geriatrician at Falkirk Infirmary.
CDC’s advisory committee recommends changes in varicella vaccinations
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in its meeting in Atlanta today, voted to recommend a second dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for children four to six years old to further improve protection against the disease.
The first dose of varicella vaccine is recommended at 12 to 18 months old.
Fifteen to 20 percent of children who have received one dose of the vaccine are not fully protected and may develop chickenpox after coming in contact with varicella zoster virus. Additionally, one dose of the vaccine may not continue to provide protection into adulthood when chickenpox is more severe. A second dose of varicella vaccine provides increased protection against varicella disease compared to one-dose. The ACIP also recommended that children, adolescents and adults who previously received one dose should receive a second dose.
