According to a new report, charity-funded medical research supports more Scottish jobs than major industries such as hospitality, construction, fishing and financial services.
Every £ 1 million spent generates £ 1.33 million in gross value added (GVA) for the Scottish economy, ranking the sector 4th out of 97 countries for education, welfare and service security.
Scottish charities contributed £ 122 million to the research in 2018, enough to support over 7,400 jobs, according to research from the Fraser of Allander Institute.
However, with aid spending down 44% during the pandemic due to declining donations, concerns have been expressed about future investment levels.
Scotland is considered a world leader in medical research, but lags the UK in funding the sector, and a leading scientist said this could also lead the country lagging behind in medical advancement.
According to the analysis, the Scottish government spends a third less on clinical research than Westminster.
The report estimates that without funding from charities, the government and other public institutions would need to increase direct funding by 73% to close the gap.
The British Heart Foundation Scotland, which commissioned the study, said an additional £ 37 million would be needed to align the country with the UK.
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The charity’s invitation was supported by leading scholars from the universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrew’s.
BHF is currently funding £ 60 million for research with purely public donations to support around 240 employees at ten Scottish universities.
Professor James Leiper, Associate Medical Director at FBH and Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Glasgow, said: ‘We have this great potential and a great track record in medical research in Scotland, but we see money entering the industry only on a targeted target based only in England and Wales We will lag behind and become less competitive across Europe, not against our peers.
“While the UK has the National Institute for Health Research to support clinical trials and careers, in Scotland we have a slightly different system.
“For example, if we look at how we support the careers of clinical researchers. In England and Wales, NHR funds £ 100 million, while we fund around £ 1.8 million annually in grants through the Chief Science Office.
“These are the people who will make the next discoveries in drugs, therapies and diagnoses, and we are investing little in these people right now, sowing real challenges for the future.”
Countries like Israel, South Korea, Sweden and Japan lead the rankings of public spending on medical research.
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Nearly 60% of charities had to reduce or cancel their support for early career researchers and skilled researchers due to funding delays during the pandemic.
The Association of Medical Research Councils (AMRC) has warned that the industry may not return to pre-pandemic levels for another 4-5 years, with potential implications for further advances in medical care in the UK and Scotland.
Countries like Israel, South Korea, Sweden and Japan lead the rankings of public spending on medical research.
Nearly 60% of charities had to reduce or cancel their support for early career researchers and skilled researchers due to funding delays during the pandemic.
The Association of Medical Research Councils (AMRC) has warned that the industry may not return to pre-pandemic levels for another 4-5 years, with potential implications for further advances in medical care in the UK and Scotland.
A 2014 analysis found that UK Research Council funding for medical research was heavily skewed towards South East England.
In contrast, Scotland scored above average for funding awarded based on the quality of the proposals submitted.
Professor Mairi Spowage, Fraser Director of the Allander Institute, said: “This report demonstrates the important role that charities play in funding medical research in Scotland.
“This fund not only drives progress in the health sector but also plays a key role in supporting Scotland’s economic growth.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We welcome the publication of the reports from the British Heart Foundation in Scotland and the Fraser of Allander Institute.
“The Scottish Government recognizes the work that charities are doing here to support health research and the importance of the life sciences sector to the Scottish economy.
“The Chief Science Office recently announced the result of Precision Medicine Alliance Scotland’s funding application, which includes a £ 10 million investment in four NHS-led research projects to address critical health challenges. is of great importance.
“We will continue to work with health research charities to ensure the recovery and growth of NHS Scotland’s clinical research portfolio as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Source: Herald Scotland
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