Dick Uliano, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – While clinical drug trials aim to help people suffering from cancer, heart disease and other illnesses, the tests also produce an economic windfall for Maryland.
Thanks to Bethesda-based National Institutes of Health, and Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland, the state is known for numerous clinical trials.
Now, a study by a pharmaceutical industry group concludes that bio-pharmaceutical companies are helping support 81,000 jobs in Maryland.
The study says Maryland has hosted 3,500 clinical drug trials since 1999. Most of the trials take place in Baltimore and Bethesda, but Rockville, Chevy Chase, Columbia and Silver Spring all see their fair share.
The industry group says bio-pharmaceutical company employees pay more than $71 million in yearly state taxes and $456 million in federal taxes.
Employees include researchers, office help, computer experts and sales representatives.
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