Hercules, CA — August 22, 2016—Today, U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (CA-5) joined members of the California health care community to discuss how innovative diagnostic tests are a key contributor to the U.S. health care system, empowering medical discoveries and transforming patient care. The event took place at the headquarters of Bio-Rad Laboratories in Northern California.
During his opening remarks, Rep. Thompson noted that diagnostics are the foundation of effective medical care. He advocated for the need to work together to overcome barriers and move diagnostic innovation forward to get patients the treatments they need. He pointed to his efforts in the House Ways and Means Committee to do just that by introducing legislation that would incentivize the development of new diagnostics that can better detect and treat antibiotic resistance to life-threatening infections.
"As the spouse of a family nurse practitioner, I've heard first-hand about the many pressing challenges facing our health care system," said Rep. Thompson. "I'm committed to pursuing solutions that will reduce barriers to create more advanced diagnostics, and I'm proud to represent a state that is driving innovation in this important area."
California's biomedical industry employs more than 267,000 people, with another half million additional jobs that depend on the industry — making it the world leader in life sciences innovation, according to a PwC report on the industry. Diagnostic tests are an important element of that sector with more than 4,000 different diagnostic tests available today performed close to 7 billion times each year in the United States. From the genetic tests that inform personalized cancer treatments to the blood analysis that identifies the right antibiotic to fight an infection, diagnostic tests provide critical insights at every stage of medical care: prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and successful management of health conditions.
During the panel discussion, a diverse group of experts — diagnostics industry representatives, a physician, a county health official and a patient advocate — shared their perspectives on the benefits and challenges of diagnostic tests to identify, treat and manage a variety of infections and diseases, including the Zika virus, as part of the continuum of care. They also discussed promising innovations in diagnostic tests to transform patient outcomes, provide vital insights on emerging health care issues, personalize care, and address workforce shortage issues.
"Diagnostic tests are an important tool in helping to improve health care delivery," said Norman Schwartz, President and CEO of Bio-Rad Laboratories. "Our industry is heavily investing in research and development, which leads to innovations that are making treatment options quicker, more accurate, and more affordable for patients."
Panel moderator Andy Fish, who is the executive director of AdvaMedDx, noted how valuable it was to hear from members of the health care community about their understanding and use of diagnostics to ensure the industry is providing tests that address their concerns and needs.
"I would personally like to thank Rep. Thompson for his efforts in Congress and for bringing together the community to address common challenges and areas of collaboration in the health care space," Fish said.
About AdvaMedDx:
AdvaMedDx member companies produce innovative, safe and effective in vitro diagnostic tests that facilitate evidence-based medicine, improve quality of patient care, promote wellness, enable early detection of disease and reduce overall health care costs. Functioning as an association within the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), AdvaMedDx is dedicated to the issues facing in vitro diagnostic companies both in the United States and abroad. For more information, please visit http://AdvaMedDx.org.
About Bio-Rad Laboratories:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of innovative products and solutions for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned for its commitment to quality and customer service among university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, as well as the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food safety industries. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and serves more than 100,000 research and health care industry customers through its global network of operations. The company employs more than 8,000 people worldwide and had revenues exceeding $2 billion in 2015. For more information, please visit http://bio-rad.com.
Press Contact:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Tina Cuccia, Corporate Communications
510-724-7000
tina_cuccia@bio-rad.com