Q&A with Amgen on Responding to the Growing Cardiovascular Disease Burden in an Aging China

A discussion with Amgen’s Penny Wan, Regional VP and General Manager, JAPAC, on the cardiovascular disease trends in China and how innovative medicine and new healthcare strategies can improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

1. Do you think China’s public health system can cope with rising cases of heart diseases?

China’s public health system faces significant challenges due to its 1.4 billion-strong population which, like many parts of Asia, is aging quickly. There are already almost 150 million people over the age of 65 in China, contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and osteoporosis – which is in part due to aging.

Fortunately, there are solutions, such as raising awareness, changing behaviors, accelerating market access, and embracing the most innovative treatments. Aging demographics are increasing the risk of CVD, but with a multi-stakeholder strategy, it is possible to collectively take action to address the disease burden. Amgen calls this “predict and prevent” – a different approach which emphasizes working together across sectors to prevent traumatic health events like heart attacks. “Predict and prevent” offers the potential to lower costs and improve patient outcomes. From our experience in the region, China is already moving in the right direction and making progress doing so despite its demographic shift.

With advanced health innovation supported by the latest in science and biotechnology, combined with a commitment to work as part of the broader healthcare system, Amgen has the expertise to support China’s efforts to improve lives and reduce disease burdens.

2. How would you assess the Chinese government’s response so far to the rising incidence of heart diseases?

The Chinese government’s new policies and goals, and focus on getting people treatments quicker, are having a positive impact. When patients have access to new medicines, it can lead to better quality of life, and recent reforms by the National Medical Products Administration have made it faster for new medicines, including treatments for CVD, to gain approval. Recent years also witnessed great improvement in government reimbursement of innovative therapies, especially life-threatening anti-cancer drugs. Amgen is fully confident that the Chinese government will continue to work towards a system that delivers a dynamic reimbursement process, covering the widest range of therapeutic areas.

The pace at which the development of new medicines is advancing through the use of human genetic and living cells is astonishing. Amgen is a pioneer in this industry and we’re constantly unlocking new ways to stop disease at the source and advocating to quickly bring these high-quality medicines to patients. Amgen is committed to working with the Chinese government to offer the best, cutting-edge therapies.

3. Would the Healthy China 2030 program help in stemming the rise of heart disease in China?

The “Healthy China 2030” program, which addresses the healthcare issues China will face in the years ahead, is key to improving people’s health. By focusing on multisectoral collaboration and innovation, this initiative recognizes that healthy lifestyles are important to reduce the burden of NCDs.

Looking at the numbers from the Amgen commissioned Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report, The Cost of Silence: Cardiovascular Disease in Asia, the economic burden of CVD in the Asia Pacific region is immense. China has the second highest annual indirect and direct cost of CVD – $21.7 billion on individuals, their households and the public finances.

The CVD burden is serious, but “Healthy China 2030” is helping to stem the rise. The “predict and prevent” approach Amgen champions is consistent with the goals of the “Healthy China 2030” agenda. Amgen is providing innovative medicines to support this program’s goals, but we are also dedicated to promoting partnerships and bringing stakeholders together.

4. What are Amgen’s goals and objectives in the Asia-Pacific region?

A key belief driving much of Amgen’s work in the Asia-Pacific is the desire to help societies shift away from helping people only when they get sick, to predicting and preventing them from getting sick in the first place. With a better understanding of risk factors, Amgen’s medicines can help reduce costs and lead to better quality of life for patients. For example, PCSK9 inhibitors like Repatha are capable of reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in high risk patients.

Beyond medicines, Amgen is also investing in big data and new technology and a better understanding of disease risk factors. Amgen is developing novel digital solutions – such as a digital dashboard for heart disease. Amgen understands that we cannot solve such large health issues alone and as such, we are committed to partnering with healthcare providers, governments and other stakeholders.

5. What is the burden of cardiovascular disease in China?

One in five adults in China has CVD – a sobering statistic that creates a ripple effect in terms of burden on patients, families, the healthcare system and the government.

Fortunately, there are ways we can reduce the burden. Modifiable risk factors including hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity account for $13.6 billion (about 92 billion yuan) or approximately 63 percent of the total CVD costs in China, and “silent” risk factors of hypertension and high cholesterol affect 12.7 percent and 5.1 percent of men respectively, and 12.1 percent and 7.4 percent of women. These individuals may have little knowledge of their underlying risks, as less visible risk factors of hypertension and high cholesterol may not have overt symptoms.

Amgen is committed to working collaboratively to reducing these “silent” risks. We need to continue to work together across the healthcare landscape to ensure that systems and processes are in place to identify the early warning signs and ensure patients receive the right intervention.

6.What other diseases warrant attention in APAC and in China?

NCDs are currently responsible for over 60 percent of global deaths, and this burden is one of the major public health challenges facing all countries, including in Asia.

With the world’s largest aging population, in China there is substantial, growing need to address NCD areas including bone health and oncology – which increase in occurrence as people get older. By working together, thinking differently, and embracing technology it is possible to improve patient outcomes and save costs as we focus on mitigating these diseases in China. Bringing more attention is a critical step, as wider awareness in itself can make a huge difference.