The 3-day event of 2020 BioTaiwan Committee (BTC) Meeting closed on the 3rd of September. BTC members and experts jointly suggested a blueprint for the biomedical industry, which involves the integration of the information and communication technology, the development of precision health and the connection with other countries so as to raise Taiwan’s global visibility.
Dr Chang Hong-Jen presented the BTC Meeting conclusions and suggestions in the closing ceremony.
The BTC Meeting reviewed the development of the biomedical industry in the pandemic era, and suggested a strategy focusing on precision health. The concept is to develop comprehensive and personalized precision health services, covering prevention, diagnosis, treatments and care. This strategy should facilitate the transformation and innovation of the biomedical industry. The BTC Meeting also suggested that Taiwan should use precision health as a platform to reach other countries so as to enhance Taiwan’s global visibility.
During the 3-day event, BTC members and experts discussed Taiwan’s strengths and advantages in the changing global political climate and the outbreak of a pandemic, and contemplate how to secure a place in the reshuffle of the global supply chain, how to work out a strategic plan for the post-pandemic era and how to draw-up the blueprint for the biomedical industry.
The experts pointed out that this pandemic has increased the demand for long-distance healthcare and smart care. Taiwan should combine the communication and information technology with healthcare services and create the synergy of Bio-ICT. The government should provide a sound regulatory environment to facilitate the digital health “sandbox” for the validation and testing of various products and create a people-centered smart healthcare service industry.
The BTC Meeting also suggested creating a national Bio-bank by integrating various smaller Biobanks run by hospitals so as to maximize the value of experiences and data. The big data system will help the development of precision health and smart care.
The BTC Meeting mentioned that the biomedical industry is a highly regulated industry. The government should have the foresight to create a flexible regulatory framework to support this emerging industry. As the “Act for The Development of Biotech and New Pharmaceuticals Industry” will cease to have effect after the end of 2021, the government is now studying replacement regulations so as to provide the legal basis for the integration of IT and healthcare.
【2020-09-03 / Central News Agency 】
