The AMA has joined leading science, medical and research groups in calling on the Government to increase or at least maintain current levels of health and medical research funding.

 

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said that there have been reports and rumours of proposed cuts to funding for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and other medical research programs in the May Budget.

 

“Australia has a proud record of achievement in health and medical research, and this must be maintained,” Dr Pesce said.

 

“Health and medical research is crucial to maintaining best practice high quality health and medical care in Australia.  Investment in health and medical research also generates social and economic benefits to the community.

 

“All Australians benefit from investment in health and medical research in the longer term because it helps ensure that doctors have access to the best evidence-based therapies and treatments, informed by well-funded world-class research.  If the appropriate investments are not made, Australia’s ability to offer its citizens high quality health care will be impaired.

 

“The Government needs to increase the funding commitment to health and medical research to improve the evidence base, not only for cutting-edge hospital procedures, but also for preventive medicine and chronic disease management.

 

Research Australia chief executive Rebecca James said the annual budget of the National Health and Medical Research Council was $800m a year and cuts in the order of $400m, even over several years, seemed "totally unreasonable".

 

There had been "no effort or attempt" by the government to downplay rumours sweeping the research community of significant cuts to the medical budget.

 

Ms James said: "The talk is more about what level of cut we can expect."

 

The NHMRC employs about 15,000 scientists and many of their research grants were jointly funded by the federal government, philanthropists and industry, she said.

 

Budget cuts would result in job losses, fewer research grants and much smaller grants, she added.

 

Research Australia has launched an iPetition so scientists, researchers and supporters can ask the government to at least maintain existing funding for various forms of life-saving medical research.