Medicines contributing to healthier Australia: report

Medicines continue play a key role in keeping Australians healthier and living longer according to Australia’s Health 2012, published yesterday by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Trade group Medicines Australia chief executive Brendan Shaw said the report highlights the role medicines and vaccines play in saving lives and keeping people out of hospital. “Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies of any country in the world and are living longer than ever before,” said Dr Shaw, adding: “Continued innovation in treatments has contributed to increased cancer survival rates, lower mortality and hospitalisation due to heart disease, and higher quality of life and increased workforce participation for people living with conditions such as arthritis.”

The report indicates several key areas where medicines and vaccines are contributing significantly to improved health outcomes, including:
• The chances of surviving cancer depend on many factors including the kinds of treatment available. The mortality rate for cancer has fallen 23% for males and 17% for females over the past two decades.