Objective
Improve the long-term sustainability and international competitiveness of the Australian pharmaceuticals industry, stimulate investment in the industry, and develop Australia as a regional centre for research and development (R&D), manufacturing and export.
Significance for Australia
The Australian pharmaceuticals industry comprises bio-medical research, biotechnology firms, originator and generic medicines companies and service related segments including wholesaling and distribution. In 2004-05, the industry employed around 40,000 people (including almost 15,000 in manufacturing) and in 2006-07 turned over around $18 billion. Exports were approximately $3.9 billion in the 12 months to December 2007, making pharmaceuticals Australia’s second largest manufactured export after automobiles and automotive components. In 2005-06, the industry spent around $752 million on research and development.
Sales of complementary medicines in Australia are worth around $1 billion a year.
Departmental role and current achievements
The Department provides policy advice and undertakes initiatives on a wide range of issues. These include:
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Supporting the Pharmaceutical Industry Working Group meetings - a forum for the health and innovation Ministers to meet with industry CEOs
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Increasing the level of investment in manufacturing, R&D and services activity in Australia
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Increasing the commercialisation of Australian bio-medical research
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Monitoring international developments on patents, access to medicines and market access
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Reviewing intellectual property and regulatory issues that impact on industry
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Administering a grant of $10 million for the establishment of a small-scale mammalian cell expression facility funded through the Pharmaceuticals Partnership Program (P3)
The Department continues to work with industry, through the Pharmaceuticals Industry Council (PIC), to achieve the PIC's vision to double Australia's share of the global industry by 2012.
AusIndustry administers the P3, the successor to the Pharmaceutical Industry Investment Program. Commencing on 1 July 2004, P3 supports substantial new high quality pharmaceutical R&D in Australia.
Targets for 2007-08
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Work with industry through the Pharmaceuticals Industry Council to improve the industry’s operating environment and develop responses to global trends
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Implement investment attraction initiatives
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Forge stronger links between the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries
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Provide high quality advice on, and successfully administer the evaluation of P3
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Formally evaluate the first three years of P3
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Provide high quality pharmaceuticals industry policy advice including the impact of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme on the competitiveness of the Australian pharmaceuticals industry
For further information
Phone: +61 2 6213 6597
Email
Web: www.innovation.gov.au
May 2008