Industry leaders welcome funding of national strategy for medical research and National One Stop Shop

Pharma News: Medicines Australia, AusBiotech, Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), Research Australia and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) applaud the funding announcement of $1.89 billion from Federal Health Minister Mark Butler toward a national strategy for medical research and the establishment of the National One Stop Shop for clinical trials.

Australia’s health and medical research ranks 7th globally and 5th in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation. However, the translation of research into commercial products is limited.

The pharma, medtech and biotech sectors have been advocating for a single, harmonised, end-to-end process for clinical trials across the different jurisdictions since the Federal Government established a Clinical Trials Action Group in 2009. This concerted effort has intensified over the past two years, notably through the Research and Development Taskforce (RDTF), a multi-sector collaboration involving AusBiotech, Medicines Australia, and MTAA.

Medicines Australia CEO, Liz de Somer, welcomed the $18.8 million dedicated to progressing the National One Stop Shop for clinical trials. She said “Australia is recognised globally as a preferred location for companies to conduct clinical trials thanks to our excellent healthcare facilities, researchers, a diverse population, and strong legal frameworks with robust IP protections.

“Currently there are different processes and systems for clinical trials in each state and territory and within area health services. This creates inefficiencies and makes it difficult for patients and doctors to know what options are available, which is why a national approach is needed.”

She further added, “Harmonising these processes [through the National One Stop Shop] will ensure patients get access to the latest medical therapies and Australia remains globally competitive as an R&D destination, benefiting both Australian patients and the economy.”

MTAA CEO, Ian Burgess told Health Industry Hub, “With 56% of medtech companies undertaking local clinical trials that supports more than 400 local jobs in the space, our goal must be to make it easier for patients, researchers and sponsors to find, conduct and participate in clinical trials and research, and MTAA will continue to advocate for this, in collaboration with the Government.”

Echoing this sentiment, AusBiotech said that investing in the National One Stop Shop will serve to “foster innovation, create jobs, and reinforce Australia’s position as a global leader in research and development”.

James McAdam, Head of Government Relations and Policy, BMS stated “The National One Stop Shop is the evolution our study start up architecture needs.  It will ensure that our clinical trial sector remains competitive on the global landscape, encourages new investment and, most importantly, ensures that Australian patients continue to have the opportunity to access potentially groundbreaking treatments, when they need them most.”

Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb, Chair of the Inter-Governmental Policy Reform Group (IGPRG) and Policy Secretary, Australian Academy of Science, who was appointed to lead the establishment of the National One Stop Shop, said “Australia can’t rest on its oars and think our history alone will carry us through. The One Stop Shop is an important means for our federation to revise, reset, cohere and lead.”

Commenting on the broader government funding commitment through the Health Research for a Future Made in Australia package of $1.89 billion, Research Australia CEO Nadia Levin, said “Health and medical research represents 23% of Australian R&D activity and it needs and deserves a coordinated strategy to focus and target it. A strategic, national approach will guide discoveries faster to market and to the Australians who want the best possible healthcare – all imperative for a healthy, wealthy future.”

DHCRC CEO Annette Schmiede said it was pleasing to see healthcare, research and digital health coming to the forefront in terms of the Federal Government’s agenda.

“Let’s be ambitious in our thinking. Leadership from a federal level is critical to align our currently fragmented healthcare sector with a national strategy that offers a roadmap for success and to ensure the funding committed delivers in transforming our healthcare sector.

“Australia is missing opportunities to capitalise on our world-leading research and improve health outcome. There isn’t an issue with the quality or quantity of research that Australian universities are producing, but rather the issue we face is gaining widespread adoption of research outcomes through translation and commercialisation,” Schmiede stated.

Levin added “The next thing the government could do is ensure all of the available MRFF funding is flowing through to researchers. The Future Fund Board of Guardians determined $973 million was available for grants through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for the 2024-25 financial year, however the Federal Government has so far only budgeted for $650 million to be disbursed. The health and medical research sector has abundant capacity to immediately use every available dollar of research funding, with worthy projects and medical advances ready to be made.”

Minister Butler commented “Better alignment and coordination of the MRFF and NHMRC funds will achieve the best of both and strengthen Australia’s world-leading research capability to change and improve the health and lives of Australians.

“The National One Stop Shop will remove needless red tape and help end the postcode lottery in access to clinical trials, to make it easier for Australian researchers and patients to conduct and take part in potentially lifechanging health research.”

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