GSK Welcomes PBS Memorandum of Understanding

Industry certainty and better patient access to new medicines to be achieved through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Medicines Australia and the Commonwealth was welcomed today by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Australia.

“GSK is committed to the discovery of new medicines to enhance the quality of life for all Australians,” Ms Deborah Waterhouse, General Manager Pharmaceuticals Australia & New Zealand said.

GSK Australia’s investment in R&D increased in 2009 to $45.2 million. We are ranked as one of Australia’s top 15 business investors in this area1 and currently are the leading multinational pharmaceutical company in Australia for R&D investment.

“GSK collaborates with a large number of university and research institutions, including more than 30 separate discovery projects and supports clinical trials in Australia,” Ms Waterhouse said.

“But discovery and developing new medicines is only part of the story. Innovative medicines need to be supported by the Australian Government to give access to Australians,” she said.

“The PBS MOU gives certainty to this access. GSK accepts that the Australian Government must find savings so that Australians are able to benefit from new medicines to treat their health conditions.”

“On behalf of GSK, I would like to thank Medicines Australia and the Australian Government for working constructively through these issues to find a balance for Australians, the pharmaceutical industry and government alike,” Ms Waterhouse said.

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.au

Ends

References
1. Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia (IPRIA) annual “Scoreboard” report. 2009

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Lisa Maguire, Associate Director Corporate Affairs,
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