Patient in the Center of Digital Health Development

  • For the fourth time in a row, Novartis Pharmaceutical supported the European Patient Innovation Summit 2019. The event aimed to find digital health solutions that involve patient-relevant opinions. 
  • Many participants from more than ten Slovenian Patient’s Associations contributed their recommendations on patient-relevant aspects of digital health. 
  • The European Patient Innovation Summit is a platform and a unique opportunity for patients to discuss state-of-the-art technology innovations that can significantly enhance the quality of their lives. 
7. 11. 2019

At this year’s European Patient Innovation Summit (EPIS), participants discussed the challenges patients are facing in the digital world and the opportunities raised by the digital health. The main topic of this year's meeting was to search for effective approaches that actively involve patients in the design of digital health solutions. The discussions were joined by representatives of more than 10 Slovenian Patient Associations.

This EPIS meeting has brought together Patient Associations from more than 15 countries using digital technology. The participants could hear reflections on the opportunities provided to patients by digitalization and presentations on established digital health practices that already benefit patients. The lectures were followed by local discussions across countries. In Slovenia, the debate was moderated by Kristina Modic, Executive Director of the Slovenian Lymphoma and Leukemia Patients Association, L&L, who said: “Digital patient solutions must involve patients. Therefore, it is important that the patient is engaged in the process of finding digital solutions by Patient Associations working together and in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Some Slovenian Patient Associations already have experience in introducing digital tools for the benefit of patients and are happy to share our experience with other associations. EPIS is a unique opportunity not only to share good practices and acquire new knowledge, but also to engage Patient Associations in finding new digital health solutions. By empowering the Patients Association representatives in the development of digital technology the patients can be easier and better informed about the value and use of digital tools."

The participants agreed that the future planning and development of digital health solutions should involve all relevant stakeholders and embed patients. There is a critical need to initiate a continuous dialogue between multi-stakeholders on the key challenges in digital health we are facing today. First of all, however, a common understanding of the digital health concept and the role and importance of digital health for patients’ benefit are necessary. 

EPIS was established in 2016 as a platform for patient advocates from across Europe to discuss all aspects of digital health and to achieve consensus on the patients’ position on different issues relating to the digital world. EPIS includes an annual event organized and funded by Novartis.

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Novartis is the leading provider of medicines in Slovenia, where Lek, Novartis Pharma Services and Sandoz, operate. Together we are building and maintaining the reputation of a dynamic, ethical, and trusted pharmaceutical company. Lek develops, manufactures, and markets effective, safe, and high quality medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients. With our knowledge, quality, and experience we have gained an important role in Novartis' organizational structure, especially in the Novartis Technical Operations, Global Drug Development, Novartis Business Services, and the generic division Sandoz. We are the leading Sandoz development center, and one of the key development sites for technologically complex projects. We invest a great deal in the development, education, and training of our employees. Over the last seven years, the company has created more than 2,250 jobs, making us one of the biggest employers in Slovenia. Novartis invested in Slovenia more than EUR 2.3 billion since 2003. 

About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneer access to healthcare by developing and commercializing novel, affordable approaches that address unmet medical need. Our broad portfolio of high-quality medicines, covering all major therapeutic areas and increasingly focused on value-adding differentiated medicines, accounted for 2018 sales of USD 9.9 billion. Sandoz is headquartered in Holzkirchen, in Germany’s Greater Munich area.

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About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 750 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 108 thousand people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com. 

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This press release contains statements and conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.

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For additional information contact:
Katarina Klemenc
Corporate Communications 
Lek Pharmaceuticals d. d.
Phone: +386 1 580 22 43
katarina.klemenc@sandoz.com