Informacijos apie gydymą, vaistus ir klinikinius tyrimus sklaidos etiniai ir teisiniai aspektai

Abstract

The theme I have chosen for analysis is ethical and legal aspects of dissemination of information about treatment, medicines and clinical research. I have approached the understanding and peculiarities of information dissemination in the field of health care. Information helps to search for new and effective methods of illnesses treatment, we familiarize ourselves with new technologies in this way and have a possibility of choice. However, it causes quite a number of problems. Speaking about these problems, first of all it can be mentioned that in the sphere of health care information dissemination creates opposition between the freedom of information and human right to privacy. The information compiled about person’s health, the man’s genetic information shall not be used against himself. The state must guarantee the person’s right to privacy and forbid man’s discrimination with respect to his genetic characteristic in order there were no abuse of available information. The important thing is that increasing flow of information in medicine compels to choose electronic information processing. The use of computer software and different telecommunication technologies in medicine has created a term of “telemedicine”. Its principal advantage is rendering qualified and specialized medical aid to patients by the main medical centres. Meanwhile, the Lithuanian information society development programme 2006-2008 foresees the transfer of public services to electronic medium. There is a desire to work out a national electronic health system which will facilitate exchange of information and will provide conditions for health care employees and patients to make use of the electronic health system by means of internet or other technologies. Speaking of the experience of the Republic of Poland and Russian Federation, it shall be noted that these countries have been actively working with the electronic health care project for several years already. Though both countries encounter the same problems in the sphere of telemedicine (lack of finance and equipment, absence of legal norms governing this sphere, etc.), the future advantage of such system is understood and evaluated, i.e. qualitative and good treatment of patients, more efficient use of funds, etc. The difference is that Poland draws more attention at an electronic patient card which would collect more statistical data. In Russia (as well as in Lithuania) it is planned to create the information system which would include statistical data, electronic case record, which would facilitate information exchange among medical and other institutions, would contribute to specialist training, improve medical institutions administration, guarantee more efficient use of funds and so on. Speaking further on, information dissemination of drug preparations is understood in two aspects: firstly, it is medical information about the medicines, secondly, it is advertising of medicines. The difference between the information and advertising is that information is understood as the objective and thorough knowledge including both positive and negative data. The advertising is the subjective and only positive information intended for sale promotion. In conclusion of the aforesaid it may be stated that the theme is topical as information dissemination in the field of health care has great influence on search of new and effective ways of illnesses treatment. It allows to familiarize oneself with new technologies, presents a possibility to choose, helps to take decisions in the process of treatment but nevertheless it causes a number of problems with respect to personal data security, guaranteeing confidentiality, safe data collection, processing and distribution and this creates a need of working out an efficient mechanism of regulation with the help of legal and ethical standards.