Innovation towards healthier Vietnam

Nitin Kapoor, chief representative of AstraZeneca Singapore Pte., Ltd. in Vietnam

Being one of the first arrivals in Vietnam 25 years ago, can you tell what makes AstraZeneca (AZ) different from other pharmaceutical companies?

AZ is a leading global, science-led biopharmaceutical company. To date, we operate in over 100 countries and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

AZ is proud of our journey in Vietnam. For 25 years, we have been working to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of Vietnamese citizens, and to accompany the country’s healthcare sector development.

Our leading position in number of clinical research trials in Vietnam echoes our commitment to bring scientific innovation.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a burden for most emerging markets and developing countries, including Vietnam. Could you tell more about how AZ will support Vietnam in the fight?

Our belief is, it will take more than medicines alone to tackle the NCD challenges, and we need to focus on building a holistic ecosystem and elevating prevention together with the government, medical associations, and private partners.

I am proud to share that besides our ongoing investment of around $20 million in clinical trials during 2017-2019 in Vietnam, we are also collaborating with Plan International to bring an award-winning disease prevention programme to the country: the Young Health Programme (YHP).

This is a global community investment focusing on youth, with a global commitment to prevent the most common non-communicable diseases: cancer, diabetes, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Furthermore, we partnered with the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Medical Service Administration (MSA) in the Healthy Lung programme. The $1 million investment, announced in 2017, aims to improve the quality of outpatient management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. AZ Vietnam has also raised awareness for early action against diabetes through our community day in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in November last year, partnering with the Vietnam Young Physicians’ Association.

These initiatives are well aligned with the government’s National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2015-2025). It is my hope that, in true partnership, we can strive together towards a healthier Vietnam.

Could you tell about the focus of AZ activities in the coming time?

Providing access to healthcare for all those who need it is a significant and complex global challenge. We are making it easier for people to afford and access our medicines, especially in emerging markets like Vietnam. AZ will continue to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines.