– UK NHS operates Europe’s largest medical system with 130 million employees
– Concentrate on digital healthcare development due to increase in medical expenses
NHS Market Overview
The UK's health care policy is a single organization with 130 million people centered on the Department of Health, which is the largest in Europe and is integrated under the medical system called NHS. NHS was established in 1948 and has maintained its position as the pride of the British welfare system by adhering to the principle of free treatment despite constant controversies and changes.
NHS services cover a wide range of health policies, such as vaccination and smoking cessation assistance, as well as a role as a primary care institution for routine and minor wounds and diseases diagnosis and treatment for basic health protection. Mainly, this includes general practitioners (GPs), NHS walk-in centers, and pharmacies. Secondary health protection is provided through NHS hospitals, and emergency treatment (emergency treatment ( emergency care).
The NHS states that all UK residents, including foreigners with visas of six months or longer, have the right to register and receive services at a health center free of charge. Prescription issuance and ophthalmic/dental related services in some cases are excluded.
Digital Healthcare Industry and Current Status
Digital health is a term that combines information and communication technology (ICT) and healthcare, and is a concept that encompasses smart health and m-health. It is possible to provide personalized health care and medical services. The development of intelligent information technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud is driving the digital transformation of traditional medical and healthcare industries. The digital health care industry has a high share of the US and European markets with 68%, and is divided into m-health 57%, digital health system 29%, healthcare analytics 10%, and telehealth care 4%.
Mobile health is defined as wearable products and mobile applications related to health or well-being. The wearable product market is ranked by the top five companies, Apple, Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, and Fitbit, and the mobile health app includes chronic disease management, health & wellness, women's health, medication management, and personal health record. The digital health system refers to a system related to the storage of digital health information and exchange of digitized patient information, and related fields can be viewed as electronic medical records, electronic health records, and personal health records. The healthcare analysis industry is an immature market among the digital health market, including genomics, precision medicine, and data analysis, but is expected to grow rapidly in the future. Genome analysis is the most basic element of precision medicine. Telehealth care is a term that includes telemedicine, telemedicine, and telecare, and provides services in medical facilities and non-medical facilities.
Due to social changes such as non-face-to-face economic spread due to COVID-19 and an increase in the proportion of chronically ill due to an aging population, the necessity is gradually expanding. The UK's Digital Health and Care is treating more than 36 million patients every 100 hours at the NHS, the world's largest integrated health care system. The NHS has a system that creates and manages such a vast amount of data.
The UK has been focusing on the potential of digital health care and has implemented an industry nurturing policy, and as it is an industry directly related to human health and life, it is making every effort to find a balance around the world. In addition, the growth potential of biotechnology is very high, so support for it is a top priority. Companies in the digital health and care sector will benefit from:
– Tax structure according to innovation compensation
– World-class science and technology
– Excellent performance in life science
– Human resources and facilities to develop ideas from the initial stage to clinical trials
UK health care spending has risen since reaching £1997 billion in 650 and is projected to reach £2020 billion by 2,690, a 2019% increase over spending in 20. The share of medical expenditure as a percentage of GDP increased from 2019% in 10.2 to about 2020% in 12.8. This includes both direct costs, such as spending on new testing and tracking services due to COVID-19, and costs for existing services, such as additional personal protective equipment for front-line healthcare workers.
<Increase rate of medical expenses between 1998 and 2020>
(unit: %)
[Source: ONS]
The global digital healthcare market size will nearly double from £2014 billion in 230 to £2018 billion in 430, and UK households will purchase approximately £2020 billion of medical products, appliances and equipment in 151, a significant increase compared to 2019. did
<Trends of household spending on medical products in the UK>
(Unit: million pounds)
[Source: Statista]
Building a digital healthcare transformation
The digital healthcare industry is essential to improving the health and well-being of the population and playing a key role in preparing healthcare systems for the future. During the pandemic, the NHS has benefited patients and healthcare professionals to respond to national crises by providing a platform to access coronavirus test results.
The British government announced a new 19-year life science vision in July 2021 based on its response to COVID-7. This includes the early prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease, the development of innovative clinical trials, new drugs, diagnostics, medical technologies, digital tools, and the development and adoption of products and therapies to address today's biggest healthcare challenges, such as cancer and dementia. is to accelerate
In 2012, the UK launched the world's first genome analysis, the '10K Genome Project', and achieved its goal of analyzing and decoding 100 genomes in December 2018. Since 10, through the establishment of 'Genomics England', a state-owned company, efforts to research genomes for cancer and rare diseases have borne fruit. Recently, based on this experience in the precision medicine business, it has taken a new leap forward in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for the entire population by 2012 (limited to specific indications). In addition, in March 2023, up to £2022 million will be awarded to the NHS for diagnosis and treatment through a new privacy platform and clinical research services, and £3 million to expand the life sciences vision. It will support job creation and support world-class research grants to benefit from state-of-the-art medical advances and treatments.
Expert Comments and Implications
According to an interview with the trade official, the British biotechnology company Cognetivity Ltd CEO Dr. Sina Habibi reports XNUMX million new cases of dementia every year, and touch screen operation app software is important in overcoming the difficulties caused by dementia. He said that it could prevent deterioration of health. He also said that he is encouraging the development of digital health care specialized facilities and technologies in this regard.
As can be seen from the rapid vaccine research and development in the UK, R&D in the medical field is very active, and the infrastructure for government support and testing is well established. The NHS, a world-class public medical institution, was also able to respond to the crisis by actively introducing innovative technologies.
Health and Social MW Minister Sajid Javid said the NHS data made it possible to make all parts of the UK safe and healthy and to save thousands of lives during the pandemic. He also announced that he will develop technologies for secure access to vast amounts of NHS data so that innovative therapies can quickly disseminate.
It is necessary for Korean companies to approach the NHS, which is concerned about the burden of medical expenses, by developing innovative products in the health tech field, such as health care products, digital medicines, and 3D printers. Also, it is a good way to participate in the Digital Health World Congress (May 2022-5, 17, Kensington Conference & Event Center) where you can check the latest health tech trends in the UK.
Source: British Government, Statista, ONS, KOTRA London Trade Center