Equity and sustainability must be fundamental elements in the implementation of biomedical innovation within the Spanish healthcare system. This was made clear during the presentation of the consensus document “Biomedical innovation: a legacy for humanity”, which forms part of ConCiencia, a research and knowledge hub promoted by Johnson & Johnson and composed of academics from various disciplines linked to the health sector (law, health economics, medicine, ethics, health policy and humanisation). The hub serves as a platform to address major questions concerning the social value of biomedical innovation.

The event brought together patient associations, healthcare professionals, health system managers and institutional and political representatives. It offered a space for reflection on the opportunities presented by biomedical innovation as a pillar of human progress from scientific, healthcare, legal, economic and social perspectives. The consensus document is conceived as a guide for patients, healthcare professionals and decision-makers. It is intended to support understanding and enhance the impact of innovation, as well as promote policies that strengthen health, wellbeing and the sustainable development of society.

The University Institute for Patient Care at the UIC Barcelona, led by Dr Boi Ruiz, includes the Health Policy Innovation Classroom, where work focuses on research and dissemination in the healthcare field regarding changes affecting the management and leadership of health policy and healthcare institutions. Dr Ruiz, director of the classroom, underlined that public decisions are crucial to ensuring that this legacy results in tangible benefits for the population. “Health policies must be conceived as state policies, oriented towards continuous progress and the responsible incorporation of innovation under conditions of equity and sustainability,” he explained during the round table.

All participants in the session agreed that biomedical innovation is a collective asset and a driving force of human progress. Building consensus on its value is a shared responsibility and protecting it requires institutional commitment. “Innovation only makes sense when it is integrated into a collaborative system. This is why initiatives such as ConCiencia, in collaboration with universities across Spain, are especially relevant,” said David Beas, director of Corporate Affairs and Market Access at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine in Spain. He added that “providing sufficient resources and transparent regulatory frameworks is key for Spain to lead in health and social cohesion”.

The University Institute for Patient Care at the UIC Barcelona is a university institution whose overall objective is to analyse the needs of and provide health education and training to patients, their family members and associations concerning all aspects of illness. To this end, the Institute conducts research, teaches courses and organises informative events.