Australian pharma urges govt on jobs

The government can help defend Australia's pharmaceuticals sector employees against further job losses by implementing recommendations of  the Pharmaceuticals Industry Strategy Group's Final Report, the trade  body Medicines Australia's chief executive, Ian Chalmers, has declared.

The report was released on January 30 by the Minister for Innovation,  Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr. It recommends that  Australian's government sets up a strategic industry investment fund to  support major pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D activity. and calls  for measures to reverse the nation's declining global competitiveness as  a destination for clinical trials.

"I urge the government to implement the recommendations of this report  without delay. These measures will help defend Australia's  pharmaceuticals industry from further job losses and contribute to its  long-term viability," Mr Chalmers said. "Government inaction on this  issue, especially at this time of economic stress, could have heavy  consequences for the industry and for Australian jobs.