Stimulating Access to Healthcare Databases in the EU

• Author: Kristof van Quathem

Speaker

Kristof van Quathem, Of Counsel at Covington & Burling LLP, advises clients on data protection, data security and cybercrime matters in various sectors, and in particular in the pharmaceutical and information technology sector. Kristof has been specializing in this area for over fifteen years and covers the entire spectrum of advising clients on government affairs strategies concerning the lawmaking, to compliance advice on the adopted laws regulations and guidelines, and the representation of clients in non-contentious and contentious matters before data protection authorities.

Topic

This e-presentation offers a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the European Union's legal framework as it pertains to the utilization of healthcare personal data. It places a specific emphasis on the handling of anonymized healthcare data and its role within the newly established European Health Data Space, which is a pivotal development in the domain of healthcare data management.

The European Union has long been at the forefront of legislative efforts to safeguard the privacy and security of personal healthcare data, recognizing its critical importance in the provision of quality healthcare services, medical research, and public health management. As such, this e-presentation delves into the intricacies of the legal provisions and guidelines that have been put in place to regulate the collection, storage, processing, and sharing of healthcare personal data within the EU.

One of the primary focal points is the concept of anonymized data. Anonymization techniques are critical in balancing the need for data-driven healthcare innovations and research with the fundamental right to data protection and privacy. This presentation carefully dissects the EU's standards and requirements for anonymizing healthcare data to ensure that it no longer falls under the category of personal data, thereby reducing the associated privacy risks.

Furthermore, the e-presentation explores the European Health Data Space, a groundbreaking initiative designed to facilitate the secure and interoperable exchange of health data across EU member states. It outlines the key...