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Brain and mind disorders affect as many as 1.5 billion people worldwide,
with that number expected to grow as life expectancy increases. According
to WHO estimates no less than 25% of the total burden of disease in established
market economies is presently attributable to brain and mind disorders.
The global market for Central Nervous System (CNS) pharmaceuticals is
predicted to become the largest single class of therapeutics, eclipsing
cardiovascular drugs. The market for CNS therapeutics is currently worth
over US$35 billion and is growing at a rate of 15% per annum.
In Australia, 75% of the population will suffer from a brain or mind
condition in their lifetime. Brain and mind disorders place the greatest
burden on Australian health accounting for over 22% of aggregate losses,
ahead of cancer (11.3%) and heart disease (9.9%). In 2002, dementia alone
cost the Australian economy $3.2 billion in direct healthcare costs. The
total financial burden of Multiple Sclerosis in Australia each year is
in excess of $600 million. These figures represent the impact of only
two of the many brain and mind disorders in Australia.
The economic need for increased research activity and funding and efficient
transfer of discoveries into commercial outcomes in the field of neuroscience
can be illustrated using recent data generated by Access Economics in
relation to Alzheimer's disease. This report, focused on the economic
impact of delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease, found that :
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If the average onset of the disease could be delayed
by 5 months from 2005 the cumulative savings to the economy would
be roughly $1.3 billion in 2020 and $6.6 billion in 2040. |
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If onset could be delayed by 5 years these figures would
be $13.5 billion in 2020 and $67.5 billion in 2040. |
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These figures represent the impact of advancing research, knowledge
and treatment of just one disease on the Australian economy.
With rates of addiction, obesity, mental illness and other disorders
increasing, the need for solutions to neurological and psychiatric
problems is becoming a social and economic issue of unprecedented
proportions. This highlights the issue of why a range of disorders
that impacts 75% of the Australian population is only attracting
approximately 10.5% of NHMRC funding.
"Without success in reducing Brain and Mind disorders,
Australia faces a blow-out in Direct health and aged care costs
and indirect welfare and social security payments of the next 40
years in addition to a reduced revenue base."
(Brain & Mind Disorders: Impact of the Neurosciences. PMSEIC
Presentation, 2002)
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1.World Development Report, Investing in Health Research
& Development, 1993, World Bank
2.IMS Health Website https://ims-global.com/insight/world-in-brief/0102/therapy.htm
3.Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, The Burden of Disease and
Injury in Australia, November 1999
4.Access Economics Pty Ltd Report, "The Dementia Epidemic: Economic
Impact and Positive Solutions for Australia", 2003
5.Access Economics Pty Ltd Report, "Acting Positively: Strategic
Implications of the Economic Costs of Multiple Sclerosis in Australia,
2005
6.Access Economics Delaying the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease: Projections
and Impacts, August 2004
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The
Market Need