BMJ June 27, 2022
Stephen Bradley and colleagues call for action to ensure equitable returns for patients and taxpayers when public healthcare data are shared for commercial research
The threats to patient privacy from sharing data have been well publicised. By comparison, the risks of healthcare systems missing out on the gains generated from healthcare data have been largely overlooked. As well as potential benefits from improved treatment or diagnosis, research using patient data can bring financial rewards—for example, by selling artificial intelligence (AI) products the data are used to develop. The indicative market value of the data held by England’s NHS has been estimated at £5bn if it were to be sold for commercial purposes.1
For cash strapped healthcare systems, stewardship...