Everyday Australians have been invited to have a say on the country’s medical research priorities.
The Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) has opened consultation on the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy (2021-26) and the related Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities.
The Department of Health said the Strategy was set every five years and took into account Australia’s health needs and areas that needed greater investment.
“The current Strategy was developed to ensure a coherent and consistent approach is adopted in the funding of medical research and innovation from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF),” the Department said.
“In determining the current Priorities, a number of matters were taken into account, such as burden of disease, delivery of practical benefits to and greatest value for Australians, and complementarity to other financial assistance for medical research and medical innovation,” it said.
The Department said AMRAB was interested in hearing people’s views on the current Strategy and the related Priorities, specifically whether they could be improved; what current and future issues the next Strategy and Priorities should address; and how the Strategy and Priorities could account for the significant impact of COVID-19 on health services and the research sector.
It said AMRAB was seeking comments through online submissions and a public webinar until 11 October.
AMRAB’s 16-page Consultation Guide, including information on how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
