WMA Confirms Its Commitment To Patient Confidentiality

Having heard representations this week from both the Icelandic Government and the Icelandic Medical Association about the creation of a national health database in Iceland, the World Medical Association Council has reaffirmed its commitment to patient confidentiality, the principle of informed consent and the freedom of scientific research.

In a statement issued today at its meeting in Santiago, Chile, the WMA Council says it stands fully behind the position taken by the Icelandic Medical Association in opposing the Icelandic Healthcare Database legislation recently passed by the Icelandic Parliament.

The WMA Council especially wishes to point to the need to protect the integrity of patient data and to have open access to all scientific data.

The WMA Council urges all national medical associations and governments to ensure that science is furthered by continued research that in no way breaches medical ethics and patient confidentiality.