November 16, 2007
Highlighting Public
and Private Research
Poll: Optimism,
Concerns about Research Progress
Research!America
and the Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America hosted a forum on public and private sector
research, "Transforming Health: Fulfilling the Promise of Research," in
November in Washington, DC.
"Never underestimate the power of innovation," urged keynote speaker Elias Zerhouni, MD, director, National Institutes of Health. He described momentum in discovering genes linked to major diseases but cautioned that unless we speed the pace of research through new approaches and greater efficiency, we will not see advances in the practice of medicine.
PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin remarked, "Clearly the future looks bright, but it is essential that we preserve an environment that fosters innovation and research. And treatment advances are of little use if those who need them cannot access them."
Presenting highlights of a new poll, Research!America's Mary Woolley noted that nearly three-quarters of Americans expect breakthroughs in the next decade in treatments for diabetes, cancer and heart disease, yet a majority say we are not making enough progress in medical research.
Just 57% say health-related research has helped them or someone close to them. Woolley said, "We see a disconnect between expectations for medical research and appreciating its real-life benefits that help Americans every day."
Former journalist Meryl
Comer shared her compelling story as a caregiver for two Alzheimer's patients.
She noted industry's substantial investment in Alzheimer's research and called
for stronger advocacy to speed a cure for this disease.
Two panels composed of leaders from the private
sector, government, academia and patient communities discussed how to gain
the most from our investment in research and overcome barriers to
integrating new knowledge into better health. Download more poll results
and a transcript, and visit www.innovation.org.