Release of AusAID’s draft Medical Research Strategy

AusAID is seeking comments on a draft Medical Research Strategy which outlines a plan to invest in medical technology and innovations that will help save lives in the Asia-Pacific region.

In An Effective Aid Program for Australia, the Australian Government signalled its support (in principle) for ‘more aid funding for research by Australian and international institutions, particularly in medicine’.

Once finalised, AusAID’s Medical Research Strategy will guide future research.

Why the Medical Research Strategy is important

AusAID wants to help poor countries increase access to health technologies that work. Photo: Conor Ashleigh for AusAID

The world’s poorest and most vulnerable people bear the greatest burden of disease and ill health. The average number of years of life lost to premature death is more than four times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries.

AusAID works with governments to strengthen their health services including to increase access to essential medicines and supplies.

While health services continue to improve in many developing countries, medical research can build on this success. The draft Medical Research Strategy outlines how AusAID will support research to:

• create new medical products such as diagnostics, drugs or vaccines
• improve clinical treatment of people in poor communities.

Investing in medical research will also address the failure of commercial markets to invest in diseases that primarily affect the poor. For example, between 1974 and 2004, only 21 of the 1,556 new drugs that came onto the market were for neglected and poverty-related diseases.

Comment on the draft strategy

AusAID’s draft Medical Research Strategy is now available for comment. Comments should be sent to info@ausaid.gov.au.

Comments should be received by 24 August 2012.

Read the draft Medical Research Strategy

Last Reviewed: 8 August, 2012