Did you know? Ten fascinating facts about life sciences
2022-04-27T12:02:00Z
life sciences
The life sciences industry is dedicated to preserving and improving our lives through various avenues, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, neuroscience and food production. We depend on this industry – quite literally – for our survival, as the last few tumultuous years have demonstrated. What are some key moments and interesting facts about this dynamic industry?
The vast majority of food sold in Australia is grown locally
Aussie farmers grow and supply the majority of food that is sold in Australia. More than 90 per cent of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, eggs and milk sold in supermarkets in Australia is domestically produced.
Australia’s agricultural industry is booming, to the point that more than half of Australia’s agricultural produce is able to be exported. A large proportion of the food imported into Australia comprises highly processed foods. So, if you want to support your health AND local farmers, eat more fresh, whole foods.
‘Artificial leeches’ were used as medical devices in the 1800s
Thankfully, medical devices have come a long way since the 1800s. During that time, live leeches were used for bloodletting, to treat various ailments such as fevers and inflammatory diseases. When live leeches were unavailable, a metal cylinder with blades was used to perform the same function. Known as an ‘artificial leech’, the device had rotating blades to cut into the skin, while a tube suctioned blood out.
Although more sterile and less slimy than a real leech, the appearance and function of the device was rather barbaric – not for the faint-hearted!
Over 65% of Australians were prescribed medication in the 2021 financial year
A study conducted in the 2021 financial year revealed that around 65.5 per cent of respondents in Australia were prescribed medication by a general practitioner. Extrapolated to the population of Australia, this figure indicates that approximately 16.8 million Australians required prescription medication in 2021.
While this figure seems astonishingly high, the share of patients who have received prescriptions each year has remained steady at or just below 70 per cent since 2011, with a gradual decline from 2016 onwards.
The largest medical device company in the world is Medtronic
Founded in Minneapolis in 1949, the American Irish company Medtronic topped the list as the world’s largest medical device company in 2021. With a workforce of more than 90,000 people across 150 countries, Medtronic is projected to reach a market value of US$612.7 billion by 2025.
