Life Sciences Queensland Limited (LSQ) welcomes the release of the Report from the McKeon Review and their vision to deeply embed health and medical research within the health system, to help deliver significant social and economic outcomes.
Mario Pennisi, CEO of LSQ – the industry association for life sciences organisations operating in Queensland – positively praised the findings and recommendations of the Report and additionally highlighted the opportunities that exist for the industry if the Federal Government takes on the Report’s recommendations.
“The Report’s plan to optimise current investment in health and medical research and in the long term manage and monitor 3-4 percent of the total Australian Government’s health expenditure on Health and Medical Research is a farsighted and exciting proposal.”
Mr Pennisi went on to say that by completely reshaping the Sectoral Leadership and the way Health and Medical Research is funded in Australia will result in better tracking of investment and evaluation of outcomes.
“One area that would benefit immediately is clinical trials”, said Mr Pennisi.
“The Report’s recommendations need to be considered and implemented, and that will require action and funding by the Government – and what better timing than in the lead up to a Federal Election”.
“We look forward to working with the government and our stakeholders to achieve the recommendations of the review and to keep the Australian reputation for health and medical research as world class”.
The McKeon Review – Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research – Better Health through Research Report was released by The Minister for Health, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP today and is available on the LSQ website at http://www.lsq.com.au/Documents/PublicDocuments.aspx or at http://www.mckeonreview.org.au/.
– ENDS –
Life Sciences Queensland Limited (LSQ)
LSQ is an Australian based industry organisation established to promote a platform for industry stakeholders to come together and cooperate to grow their businesses and help create a dynamic, internationally competitive and sustainable life sciences industry. LSQ is helping to shape the strategic direction of the industry in Queensland and influence public policy. We also provide members with tools, services, market intelligence and access to an international network of life sciences organisations with the aim of identifying new business opportunities and accelerating business growth.
LSQ engages the full spectrum of the Queensland life sciences industry, to assist the growth of individual organisations and industry segments, and to build the profile, capacity and capability of the sector to help ensure long term economic, social and environmental benefits to Queensland and its members. Sub-sectors that are illustrative of the life science industry include:
• Human Healthcare (pharmaceuticals or drug discovery, complementary medicines, functional foods/beverages, medical devices and diagnostics),
• Animal Health,
• Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology,
• Marine Biotechnology and
• Industrial Biotechnology, including Bio-mining and Bio-energy.