AstraZeneca, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, announced the launch of Juan Healthy Lung Philippines—an initiative focused on reducing asthma deaths in the country in partnership with the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, the Asthma Club of the Lung Center of the Philippines, the LCP Physicians’ Association Clinical Mentoring Program, the Philippine Pharmacists Association and the Ospital ng Muntinlupa.
The burden of respiratory disease in Asia is significant with more than 107 million people in the Asia Pacific region suffering from asthma, and less than a third of them receiving preventive therapy. The Philippines has the second highest asthma mortality in the world with asthma as the tenth leading cause of death in the country. Unfortunately, these asthma death rates are continuing to increase. In addition, asthma hospitalization ranks sixth in PhilHealth benefit claims.
Dr. Camilo Roa Jr., consultant pulmonologist and program director for the Asthma Comprehensive Care Unit in the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital and chair of Juan Healthy Lung Philippines, said “more can and should be done to increase awareness of the burden that this disease has on the lives of patients, health systems and national economies. As an asthmatic, I know how it feels like to have asthma and how it can be successfully controlled with proper management.”
In response to this serious problem, AstraZeneca Philippines, through its Juan Healthy Lung Philippines, is bringing together relevant stakeholders to advance asthma management capabilities and to reduce the asthma burden and mortality among Filipino patients.
Juan Healthy Lung Philippines takes a three-pillar approach over three years, covering partnerships, awareness program and access.
Leon Wang, AstraZeneca International executive vice-president, said: “Respiratory illnesses such as asthma are rapidly rising across Asia and particularly in the Philippines. Asthma presents particular challenges for most healthcare systems, which have historically focused on acute, short-term care. Effectively treating asthma requires a lengthy, potentially life-long management with the patient at the center. AstraZeneca is privileged to have this opportunity to collaborate with our partners to implement Juan Healthy Lung Philippines to ensure more Filipino patients with asthma get access to early treatment and appropriate care.”
