Japan Pushes Sharing of Patient Data

Along with government measures, select Japanese universities are pushing to establish a medical data information bank. In December 2016, Japan passed new legislation concerning personal data, and institutions have been trying to establish information banks ever since. Currently, each hospital has their own method of patient data management. With the patient’s permission, the new information bank will be able to share information amongst hospitals, and will save both costs and times by eliminating the need for repeat tests. Patients will also have the option of selling their data to companies such as pharmaceutical manufacturers and insurance companies.

Testing for the new information bank begins October 2017, and will continue through March 2019, collecting data from around 1500 patients. The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development will spend around 100 million yen (~$900,000 USD) to complete testing.