On 24 April 2024, the European Parliament endorsed the provisional agreement on the European Health Data Space (EHDS) reached between the Parliament and the Council.
The EHDS will empower patients to access their health data in an electronic format, including from a different member state to the one in which they live, and allow health professionals to consult their patients’ files with their consent (so-called primary use), also from other EU countries. These electronic health records (EHR) would include patient summaries, electronic prescriptions, medical imagery and laboratory results.
The law will make it possible to transfer health data safely to health professionals in other EU countries, for example when citizens move to another state. It will be possible to download the health record free of charge.
The agreement received 445 votes in favor, 142 against, and 39 abstentions.
The main point of contention during negotiations was the opt-out mechanism for secondary use of health data, particularly for research and development purposes. The final text includes the opt-out mechanism with exceptions for data used in the public interest, such as during pandemics.
The Council is now expected to approve the provisional agreement, likely after the summer recess. Once approved by the Council, the EHDS will be published in the Official Journal of the EU, becoming legislation.
