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In a synthetic way, the experts explained, the so-called personalized medicine is the one that uses the application of technological advances to facilitate the correct diagnosis and the correct medicine, for the right patient, at the right time.
Marianne Chacon, director of Genentech’s Digital Health in Oncology medical team, explains in more detail, invited to the last Roche Press Day digital, which took place virtually from 13 to 16 October.
“Personalized medicine does not focus on curing disease, but on people. Advances in medicine, technology, genomics and data science come together in this new approach that allows you to accompany each patient throughout their journey, from prevention to treatment and monitoring, and identify their needs like never before. ‘Now. Using data to support more precise treatment decisions and investments, this approach promotes better clinical outcomes and a more efficient use of resources, supporting the sustainability of health systems. “
Early and accurate diagnosis, telemedicine, better risk management, personalized treatment options and specific care plans are some of the possibilities that personalized medicine includes, especially in complex therapeutic areas such as oncology and rare diseases.
It all sounds wonderful. However, this new approach to medicine is still far from being accessible to all Latin Americans. This was one of the conclusions of the study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU) with the support of Roche Latin America.
Alan Lovell, Senior Associate for Health Policy and Clinical Evidence at The EIU, who also attended the event, commented that “Latin American countries have taken some initial steps on the path to personalized medicine, but much remains to be done. these innovations are available to the general population ”.
The report “Personalized Medicine in Latin America: Universalizing the Promise of Innovation” explored what are the building blocks required for the successful implementation of this approach and at what stage of the process nine countries are in the region.
The report established that there are nine Latin American countries on the path to personalized medicine. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay are at level 1, “ready to decide” if they want to create a global approach to approach this form of medicine; Chile and Mexico are at level 2, “strengthening the foundations”, while Ecuador and Peru, at level 3, still have few resources to implement it, so they are “starting the journey”.
The report says tier one countries have significant elements of the support framework but are held back by significant gaps. They are “ready to decide” if they want to create a comprehensive and holistic approach.
Those of level two have significant strengths, but lower than those of level one countries. Therefore, they must be in the process of “strengthening the foundation”. Finally, Tier 3 countries have relatively few resources from which to draw personalized medicine. They are “starting the journey”.
According to the EIU article, countries should have value-based care models, digitization of health (including electronic health records), incorporation of real-world evidence into regulatory processes and health technology assessment (HTA) and advanced analytics tools. among other complementary technologies and processes.
Dr Gabriel Riveros Dueñas, former Colombian health minister, noted that interventions to accelerate adoption and access to personalized medicine “need to be articulated between pharmaceutical companies, the state, professionals and patients, among others. , and they must operate according to the principles of science, ethics and rationality in the use of resources, but where results and patient satisfaction prevail ”.
“Countries should create a framework that supports personalization in general. This includes: changes in health care governance, stakeholder knowledge of technology, development of infrastructure capable of producing a variety of personalized interventions, and financial management capable of selecting and paying for the best elements of medicine. customized. Building such a facility will not only support this approach, it will also improve the role of health systems as a whole, ”commented Alan Lovell.
Something that highlights the frame of reference is the importance of patients and healthcare professionals understanding the possibilities and limitations of personalized medicine.
Raquel Paniagua, vice president of the Dame tu Mano Association, from Uruguay, for patients with breast cancer, believes that “patient organizations can have a collaborative role in the dissemination, education, communication and promotion of this social paradigm shift. . To this end, it is essential to strengthen the work of patients so that they can effectively influence the health system and are able to demonstrate the benefits that society as a whole would obtain ”.
As the EIU report concludes, public understanding, political will, better scientific infrastructure, and effective health technology assessment can drive not only the adoption of personalized medicine, but also the evolution of health systems in the community. region towards complete solutions for the benefit of the patient.
Conclusions on personalized medicine today in Latin America
1. Political will remains weak.
2. Policies on the individual elements of personalized medicine are common, but a holistic view is lacking.
3. Regulators lack the capacity to support the innovation required for personalization.
4. In general, healthcare professionals are not aware of the potential of this medicine.
5. General public knowledge of personalized medicine is poor, but when there is treatment, patients and their families are committed.
6. The state of patient data needed for personalized medicine is improving, but much remains to be done.
7. The facilities of the genetics laboratory are a project under development.
8. Financing will remain a challenge until personalized medicine is seen as an investment rather than a cost.
9. Support in the region should be provided to health technology assessment bodies.
Main aspects
Roche Press Day is an annual event that encourages conversation on central aspects of health from different angles, enriching the perspective thanks to the exchange that takes place between Latin American journalists and experts in medicine, economics and other branches, from different countries of the world.
Roche is an international company, a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives.
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