Better Health Data Access May Boost FDA, NIH Research Priorities

Drug and device research could benefit indirectly from the Trump administration’s plan to remove barriers to health data sharing that make it harder for patients to access their own electronic health records.

Two major health information technology proposed rules recently issued by the Department of Health and Human Services agencies aim to eliminate hurdles that currently prevent health data sharing between plans and providers as well as to spur ways to let patients access their health information via mobile devices.

The proposed rules focus on payers, information technology vendors, and providers. But they could complement Food and Drug Administration and ...