Salut opens the market consultation process for the development of AI-based solutions for the prevention of medication-related problems

Barcelona, 4 April 2024. Within the framework of the Health/AI Programme of the Department of Health, the Virtual Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (CIAM in its Catalan initials) held the presentation of the conditions for preliminary market consultation for the AI in Health challenge to develop solutions based on artificial intelligence for the prevention of medication-related health problems. This new event launched the process for public and private entities to present their proposals.

The main goal of the challenge is to develop and implement artificial intelligence tools that can predict and prevent medication-related health problems of users of the Catalan health system. This way, health professionals will be able to know what risk patients have of suffering from these health problems and anticipate preventive measures and optimise medications, such as adjusting the patient medication plan, contribute to the safe use of health drugs and a more efficient pharmaceutical prescription and a more efficient system. Another objective of these AI solutions is related to the reuse of clinical data available in the health system to generate knowledge on the safe use of medicines and implement systemic measures that can have an impact on all the public at large.

The Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS in its Catalan initials) will be the procurement entity for this public purchase of innovation and will have the collaboration of the institutions represented in the Health/IA Programme and the CIAM throughout the process of obtaining the solution, which will be implemented within the Catalan health system. These institutions include the Catalan Department of Health, the Catalan Health Service, the TIC Salut Social Foundation, and the Catalan Health and Social Consortium (CSC).  

Open call

Until 15 April at 10:00 a.m., entities or people interested in participating in the call can send the necessary documentation indicated in the conditions. The information on the basis of the market consultation for the development of artificial intelligence solutions for the prevention of medication-related health problems can be viewed at this link.

Based on the companies’ solutions proposals and bilateral interviews that will be held with the various participants, a report will be drawn up that will determine the degree of maturity of the market to develop a solution of these characteristics, as well as the definition of the needs and additional requirements, if applicable, which will be key elements in defining the object of procurement. This report will be published on the website of the procurement platform itself and will be a supporting document for the preparation of the documents associated with the tender.

This is the second consultation on health-related artificial intelligence challenges of the CIAM and will allow the project to continue to progress. The first, carried out last July, sought innovative AI solutions to provide information about medicines to the general public.

About the Health/AI Programme and the CIAM

The Health/AI Programme, approved in resolution SLT/954/2023 on 19 March 2023, aims to create a fertile environment for innovation in the field of health through the development and implementation of artificial intelligence solutions that improve public health, prioritise prevention, lead the implementation of AI solutions and contribute to improving the quality of care and the sustainability of the health system, placing value on the knowledge generated by the integral health system for public use in Catalonia.

With the aim of having a specific structure to develop and advance the design and application of artificial intelligence solutions specific to the field of medicine and adoptable by the health system, the Programme created the CIAM, which is coordinated by the CSC and developed by the Catalan Department of Health, in collaboration with AQuAS, the TIC Salut Social Foundation and the Catalan Health Service. The CIAM is responsible for project management and coordination and the deployment of AI solutions in the field of medicines and is also in charge of receiving proposals to produce and generate AI-based tools that contribute to a more efficient use of medicines.

More information:

• Page from the Challenge on the Prevention of Medication-Related Health Problems
• Broadcast of the event