Eugene Garfield, PhD

2009 Garfield Economic Impact of Research Award
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington DC.

October 13, 2009


Introduced by The Hon. John E. Porter

John, thank you. I’m delighted to be here for the presentation of the eighth annual Garfield Economic Impact of Research Award.

In founding this award through Research!America, it was my goal to honor pioneers, if you will, whose work demonstrates the short- and longer-term economic impact of medical research.

Investing in research and highlighting its economic value is a cause which, as some of you know, is very dear to me.

Providing scholars an incentive to demonstrate this additional effect of scientific and medical innovation is important to the ultimate delivery of universal healthcare.  By stimulating new and efficient medical treatments and diagnostic options faster, medical research brings added value to our economy through new jobs and careers in science, new businesses, and funding for universities, just to name a few benefits.

I want to congratulate this year’s awardees, Dr. Darius Lakdawalla and his co-authors ….   at the Rand Corporation Bing Center for Health Economics.  Their thought provoking and timely study provides us insights into ways in which U.S. pharmaceutical prices can be lowered for consumers without affecting health or quality of life and without inhibiting U.S. medical innovation.

Their study serves as a reminder that we can, and need to, put science and innovation to work to get our economy back on track.

Let me reiterate how pleased I am to co-sponsor the Economic Impact Award with the University of Chicago again this year.  It is my pleasure to turn over the lectern to Dr. James Madara, former CEO of the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Thank you.

Back to Research! America Awards at EugeneGarfield.org