The bureau shall conduct such research, including the gathering of appropriate statistics, as deemed desirable by the board and its divisions and related to their functions. The bureau shall have access to all medical and other information pertaining to the provision of health care services not privileged under law. In the gathering of such information, the bureau shall initially draw upon existing sources of pooled health data and may purchase such information or contract for the development of such data. In the event that such sources are deemed inadequate by the board or a division, the bureau may require any state agency or health care provider to transmit to the bureau statistical information not privileged under law. No provider shall be required to incur unreasonable expenses in the provision of such information. The bureau shall not gather or maintain statistical or other information that identifies individual patients, physicians and surgeons, or other health care providers, except for reports required by Article 11 (commencing with Section 800) of Chapter 1 or as is required to carry out any function of the board or its divisions which is designated by this chapter.