Medicines exports strong
August 7, 2013
The Australian medicines industry
contributed to almost $4 billion in
export earnings last year, according
to annual trade figures released
yesterday by the Australian Bureau
of Statistics.
Medicines Australia ceo Brendan
Shaw said the statistics showed
that Australia earns more money
exporting medicines than it does
from exporting cars, wine or
scientific instruments.
The overall result for 2012-13 was
$3.9 billion, showing that medicines
exports had held up well in the face
of the high Australian dollar.
However the figure was down
from the record $4.1 billion
recorded in 2009-10.
“While there has been lots of
debate about Australian industries
and their future, we have a
real opportunity to make the
Australian medicines industry a
key component of preparing the
Australian economy for a post-mining
boom future,” Shaw said.
“We can grow this industry
even more from what it is today,
provided we have predictable,
stable policy settings”.
Shaw said this included
predictable pricing policies for the
PBS as well as improved processes
for approving innovative medicines,
along with stable and strong
intellectual property policies.
“That’s why last Friday’s sudden
announcement in the government’s
Economic Statement of changes to
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
price disclosure policy without
consultation was extremely
disappointing,” he added.
“A predictable policy framework
that encourages the industry
to supply medicines in a timely
manner and build Australia’s
economic competitiveness is
important to Australia’s future,” the
Medicines Australia ceo concluded.
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