Human Interest

Saving Lives, Creating Jobs

Posted: 3/11/2011

The same biomedical research that can lead to new cures for disease may also help cure America’s economic woes.

(NAPSI) - Medical innovation is good for the health of every American, but it is contributing to the health of the American economy as well.

That’s because America’s biopharmaceutical research companies that work to create new medicines to fight disease also contribute to both the national economy and the economies of the communities where their facilities are located.

In fact, last year alone, more than $64 billion was invested in new research. Plus, each of the over 650,000 jobs in the biopharmaceutical research sector has helped create an additional three jobs economywide.

Medical research also helps save money by saving lives. John Castellani, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), said, “Studies show that innovative medicines can make it possible to prevent or slow the progress of many diseases and avoid costly hospitalization and invasive surgery.”

American medical innovators are integral in the fight to control cancer (biopharmaceutical research companies are currently researching more than 800 medicines and vaccines for cancer) and other illnesses. With the aim of preserving U.S. leadership in medical innovation, the Council for American Medical Innovation (CAMI) was recently created.

Former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt and former Utah Governor and Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, CAMI co-chairs, said, “Nowhere is there a better opportunity to create jobs and drive growth than medical innovation. Today, America’s biomedical sector is virtually recessionproof, providing in many states astounding job growth. Supporting research that will one day lead to a cure for cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS or Alzheimer’s will contribute greatly to America’s long-term health while helping to guarantee a sustained economic recovery.” (Excerpted from a January 2001 statement in response to the formation of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness)

Learn More

For more information, visit www.PhRMA.org, www.american medicalinnovation.org and www.innovation.org. If you need assistance paying for your medicine, help may be available at www.pparx.org or by calling (888) 4PPA-NOW.

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