| For immediate release- |
2006-64 |
OTTAWA (December 6, 2006) - The British government is set to emulate the work of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as it moves ahead with a bold new strategy to improve an already highly successful UK health-research system. Canadian investments in R&D; and, more specifically, Canada's inclusive and multidisciplinary model of health research received outstanding praise in the Cooksey Review, published today as part of a pre-budget speech by Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown MP.
"Canada has taken a very exciting experiment with its substantial public investments in research in recent years... it will be important to see the fruits of that investment over the next decade and beyond in the form of increased health and economic benefits," the Review noted.
The March 2006 British Budget speech announced plans to create a single health research fund of at least £1 billion and create an entirely new strategic direction for health research, ensuring efficiency of publicly funded research and facilitating rapid translation of research findings into public health gains.
At the same time, the British government appointed Sir David Cooksey to lead a review of this process and make recommendations on future directions for British health research. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) was among a handful of international health research agencies consulted during the review, consultation that included examining documentation relevant to the review process and meetings between CIHR President Dr. Alan Bernstein and Sir David Cooksey. The inclusion of CIHR in the review process indicates the Canadian model for health research is clearly in the spotlight and of interest internationally.
One aspect of the CIHR model that has drawn the most attention is Canada's success in recognizing and responding to the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of health research, a fact that the Review made reference to in the section on Canada.
"Leadership and communication are not only vital in individual research institutions, but also in the national (or, indeed, regional) institutions that fund research. One example of the early successes following the creation of the CIHR in Canada has been the leadership role of the CIHR's virtual institutes in formalising and helping to support multidisciplinary teams," the Review stated.
The Review also singled out Dr. Alan Bernstein for his leadership in helping to create changes in the way health research is conducted in Canada. "More broadly, the leadership of Dr. Alan Bernstein has been instrumental in the success of the CIHR in its first five years, and is further evidence of the importance of strong leadership to manage change successfully on the sort of scale achieved by CIHR," the Review commented.
With today's pre-budget speech, the British government announced it will fully adopt the recommendations of the Review, in essence, a blueprint for a dramatic new strategy aimed at bridging the gap between basic research discoveries and their translation into new therapies, drugs and procedures.
"We are determined that Britain be a world class location for future medical research, including stem cell. So that Britain leads the world in developing new treatments and new drugs, we will bring together the research capability of our universities, institutes and pharmaceutical companies with the unique resources of the NHS," Mr. Gordon Brown stated in the pre-budget speech.
The Review recommended the creation of a new Office of Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR) to create a more strategic approach to health research, bringing together the health budgets of the Medical Research Council (MRC-UK) and the Department of Health, but keeping these two organizations separate. The OSCHR will set the British government's health research strategy, will administer the budget for health research and will encourage a stronger partnership with the health industries and charities. The new research office will also make specific efforts to increase the pace of drug development in the UK. And it will help foster research in areas where there are currently unmet health needs through the creation of a new mechanism called "UK Priority Health Research Projects."
"The recommendations of the Review are a coherent attempt to make the very best of the resources that we devote to health research. If organised as we suggest, we believe that they will improve on the value for money achieved today and will substantially deliver improved patient benefit as well as a sustainable reason why this will be an outstanding location for healthcare companies to develop their businesses," Sir David Cooksey noted in an introduction to the Review.
"This is an excellent and timely review by Sir David Cooksey," said Dr. Bernstein. "Great strides in health research are being made in laboratories in the UK, in Canada and around the world. The Cooksey Review has put forward a coherent and innovative vision that addresses the opportunities and mechanisms to reap the benefits of these scientific advances while at the same time emphasizing the need to continue to strengthen the UK's historic strengths in basic science. The world stands to gain from its insights."
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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For media assistance contact:
Marie-France Poirier
CIHR Media Specialist
(613) 941-4563
Cell: (613) 447-4794
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
