More doctors join call for greater access to genetic screening and medicine
An open letter by Australia’s leaders in genomic medicine has attracted even more support from doctors and community health organisations.
Genomic medicine is firmly on the policy agenda as clinical specialists, genetic counsellors and nurses working on the frontline of this rapidly emerging medicine add their voices to a national push with patient groups to advance precision medicine to the clinic.
Experts working on the ground in genetics, oncology and patient groups who are urgently pushing for national co-ordination on genomic medicine, equity of access to gene screening and translation of scientific research to benefit patients have added their names to an open letter published by The Australian.
Patient and advocacy groups and interested researchers and clinicians can add their names to the open letter by emailing genomicsopenlatter@news.com.au
The letter expressed concern that Australia’s focus on genomics was not a sufficient national priority, and the calls from the nation’s top scientists, clinicians and researchers in genomics for faster progress prompted policy action.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced the creation of Genomics Australia to elevate the development of the cutting-edge medicine that promises personalised treatment to benefit patients. But it’s not clear how well the body will be able to function if it is not set up as a Commonwealth legislated entity.
The specific plans for the body are yet to be fully detailed.
Australia has led the world in genomics research, but the complex nature of our health and funding systems is presenting roadblocks to an expedited rollout of genomic medicine for all.
