This is not a cliché, but the truest statement there is: The most important thing is health, without health there is nothing. That is why the health sector is of particular importance in the economic and social system of all countries, and its challenges, i.e. the challenges of the health sector, concern us all.

In this article we will look at the 7 major challenges facing the sector in the future, aspects that were discussed at the I Foro Salud de El Economista, an event held in Madrid in the middle of last year, and which you will be able to access in full at the end of this article.

The 7 challenges of the present and future healthcare sector

In this event, in which Megablok was present, very relevant aspects were debated, which involved challenges such as:

1- Access to innovation in the pharmaceutical sector

This panel discussed the situation of drug pricing and financing, solutions to improve the process and whether or not to incorporate Patient Associations and/or Scientific Societies into the process.

We highlight conclusions such as:

“We have to make the system more flexible and be more agile in decision making.”

“There is a problem of access to innovation in our country. Spain invests €1 billion more in obtaining drugs, but everyone is dissatisfied.”

“We have to put ourselves in the patients’ shoes. The current situation can certainly be improved”.

2- The progression of healthcare technology

This round table discussion dealt with the progress of the healthcare sector in terms of innovation, public procurement in Spain, the Inveat Plan and the payment of suppliers.

Some key findings were:

“The technology is there, but we lack will, courage, generosity and determination.”

“It’s not price, it’s value. Technological investment in our country’s healthcare sector is a necessity.”

3- The role of private healthcare

A talk on the rise of private insurance, the legislation surrounding private healthcare and the lack of professionals, among other aspects, was given.

The conclusions reached were of great importance, such as:

“The public sector must see the private sector as an ally, not an enemy.”

“We have to homologate degrees from abroad, 80,000 doctors are going to retire and the replacement rate is not at all flattering.”

“There is a need to change the way patients are cared for by better managing time with technology.”

4- Pharmaceutical distribution

What are its main challenges? How to deal with shortages? What is the work of Cofares?

Some of the highlights were:

“Fifty-five percent of the distribution routes are loss-making, but this is compensated by other more profitable routes such as shipping other products to hospitals and health centers.”

“There is no shortage of medicines, there is a shortage. Pharmacies must be provided with the capacity to give medicines without going through the doctor.”

5- Innovation in advanced therapies

Innovation through advanced therapies is one of the healthcare challenges of the future as a pathway with great potential.

At the Health Forum, conclusions were drawn in this regard, such as:

“A cured patient means less expense and a greater contribution to society.”

“More is going to be invested in innovation in the next 5 years than in the last 100.”

6- The role of Artificial Intelligence in medical research

Artificial Intelligence no longer escapes any corner of society. What will its contribution to the healthcare sector be?

Some of the “highlights” of this conversation were:

“AI has to allow us to bring the best drug to the patient.”

“We are moving toward more personalized precision medicine for patients with more personal follow-up.”

7- Disease prevention and vaccines

The last of the challenges facing the healthcare sector has to do with disease prevention and the role that vaccines play in all of this, with the controversy they have generated in recent years due to the COVID pandemic.

In relation to this, we can highlight conclusions such as:

“The cost-effectiveness of the vaccine is very positive with returns of up to €4 for every euro invested.”

“In the last 50 years of vaccination, 150 million deaths have been prevented, especially among children.”

At Megablok we are specialists in equipment solutions for the healthcare and biotechnology sectors. You can request information without obligation for our range of lockers, benches and lockers for your sector.