The TK-Office as an important Interface for Genetic Technology
The Techniker Krankenkasse Regensburg has been running a small office in the BioPark since 1999. Originally, intended as a service center for students, it has developed into a very important link between the biotech companies and the interest group representatives, in this case, the health providers who represent the interests of the patients. As a primary provider of health insurance for employees in the fields of natural and technological science, the TK had a connection with technology from an early stage. As early as 1995, the TK has organized conferences, of which the first was entitled,“ Genetic, Research, Genetic Technology, Genetic Treatments”, followed by; Telemedicine” (1997), “Organ donation and Xenotransplantation” (1998), as well as, “Prenatal Diagnostics” (2000).
In early 2002, a conference bearing the title “Just How Expensive Can Genetic Technology be from a National Health Care Perspective?”, was held at BioPark Regensburg, in cooperation with the Director of the Bavarian branch of the TK, Helmut Heckenstaller. The consolidation phase in the field of Biotechnology indicates how important this dialog between the insurance and biotech industries is. A German company has already had to file for bankruptcy due to discrepancies in drug approval proceedings and dubious cost reimbursement for artificial tissues (Tissue Engineering, i.e. replacement skin).
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