Organization and funding of medical research in 10 European countries

Abstract

Information on the organization and funding of medical research were obtained by a questionnaire from 10 member countries of the European Medical Research Councils. Responses show that the ratio of medical research expenditure to Gross Domestic Product varied from 0.1 to 0.2 per cent between these countries. In many countries, the largest single source of funds was pharmaceutical industry; its share of the total expenditure varied between one and 58 per cent. Excluding pharmaceutical industry, the contribution of Medical Research Councils (MRCs) varied from 2 to 22 per cent of the remaining expenditure. The present figures, derived directly from the national research organizations, were considerably higher than the respective OECD figures. A great deal of variation between the national MRCs in the distribution of funds by field of research, type of activity, and type of cost was observed. The average cost of a research project varied between 4800–97000 U.S. dollars. The variation is probably explained to a great extent by availability of other sources of funds. All MRCs used peer review in the assessment of research proposals. Criteria for peer review varied much. Only two MRCs mentioned specifically the needs of the society among the criteria. The various medical research organizations are described in detail in this report.