Biomedical research in Spain: the patient's point of view

Abstract

There is a clear gap between Spains economic ranking and its position among other European countries, both in general research and in biomedicine. Biomedicine in particular is and will be, without a doubt, the premier science in the 21st century, initiating the most changes and leading to the most significant discoveries. It is therefore essential that the knowledge gained reaches clinical practice and is converted into efficient therapies. In order to reduce this gap, the Spanish government has set forth a series of initiatives that support biomedical research and development, and which encompass institutes, universities, and private companies. These initiatives, grouped under the Ingenio 2010 plan, promote the policies of the Ministry of Health and Consumer production. Together with the Carlos III Health Institute and the Network of Biomedical Research Centers (CIBER), it will allow the rapid growth of R&D in Spain. The Ministers Council has also approved a series of strategic actions whose goal is to ensure that the benefits of biomedical research reach patients as quickly as possible. These actions are focused on cancer therapy, regenerative medicine, nanobiotechnology, molecular innovation, and the Virtual Library of the National Health System.