Together for precision medicine
During Arendalsuka 2019, we arranged a breakfast meeting on the development of cancer treatments of the future, together with LMI and Kreftforeningen.
Arendalsuka has become an important arena for those who want to improve aspects of Norwegian society. We were there this year to meet key players to accelerate the development of cancer treatments.
Our main event of the week was a collaboration with Legemiddelindustrien (LMI) and The Norwegian Cancer Society (Kreftforeningen). We wanted to highlight the cancer treatments of the future and whether Norway is equipped to keep up with the rapid developments in precision medicine. (Read a summary of the event in Norwegian on LMI’s website)
First speaker, Line Walen (LMI), presented the problems with the traditional system for approving new treatments in face of precision medicine.
The second presenter, Kjetil Taskén (Oslo University Hospital), introduced their new plan at Oslo University Hospital to implement precision medicine.
Then, Steinar Aamdal (University of Oslo) talked about what we can learn from Denmark when implementing precision medicine.
Lastly, Ole Aleksander Opdalshei (Norwegian Cancer Society) highlighted a new proposal for legislation from the government.
The exciting program was followed by a lively discussion between both politicians and cancer experts.
There was general agreement in the panel that developments are not happening fast enough and that the Norwegian health infrastructure and system for approving new treatments is not prepared to handle precision medicine, even though cancer patients need it immediately.
The panelists proposed some possible solutions:
- Better collaboration and public-private partnerships between the health industry and the public health sector.
- More resources to improve the infrastructure for clinical trials, with both staff, equipment and financial incentives.
- Better use of the Norwegian health data registries.
After the debate, we interviewed a few of the participants and attendees. We asked: which concrete measures are needed for Norway to get going with precision medicine?
Watch the six-minute video below (in Norwegian) to find out what they said. (Turn up the sound)
Did you miss the meeting? View the whole video below on YouTube (in Norwegian).
Full list of participants:
- Wenche Gerhardsen, Head of Communications, Oslo Cancer Cluster (Moderator)
- Line Walen, Senior Adviser, LMI
- Kjetil Taskén, director Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital
- Steinar Aamdal, professor emeritus, University of Oslo
- Ole Aleksander Opdalshei, assisting general secretary, The Norwegian Cancer Society
- Marianne Synnes (H), politician
- Geir Jørgen Bekkevold (KrF), politician
- Tuva Moflag (Ap), politician
- Per Morten Sandset, vice principal for Innovation, University of Oslo
- Audun Hågå, Director Norwegian Medicines Agency
Thank you to all participants and attendees!
The next event in this meeting series will take place in Oslo in the beginning of next year. More information will be posted closer to the event.
We hope to see you again!
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