Discussion highlights multiple chronic conditions as central to Universal Health Coverage

While Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has been discussed in great depth, there have been fewer conversations about its implications on the patient experience. During the 72nd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, Teva co-hosted a panel discussion on the growing challenge of multiple chronic conditions (MCC), particularly in the context of UHC. Since 2017, Teva has begun to build a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of MCC on patients—and the types of solutions that may improve their outcomes. This panel is an extension of Teva’s efforts to advance understanding of MCC, two years after unveiling new data during the 70th WHA.

The panel, moderated by Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and cohosted with the Mission of Israel to the United Nations (UN), Philips Healthcare, and the NCD Alliance, discussed MCC in the context of priorities for the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage in September. Speakers representing the World Health Organization, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria and European Patient Forum highlighted tools and resources for patients with MCC, such as generic medicines, lower-cost devices and technology to enhance care coordination.

“Multiple chronic conditions is one of the most complex, understudied health issues of our time, and we know access to medicine is not the full story. The average patient visits multiple doctors, navigates complex health systems, may turn to patient organizations for resources, is supported by caregivers and takes multiple medications,” reflects Iris Beck-Codner, Executive Vice President, Global Brand & Communications, Teva, a panelist. “Each of these touchpoints provides opportunities to improve the patient’s care and influence outcomes.”

At Teva, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are close to our heart and our business. We are the world’s leading provider of generic medicines, delivering 35,000 unique products to patients around the world, many of which treat chronic conditions. We manufacture the majority of medicines for chronic conditions listed on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List (EML), which includes safe and effective medicines for addressing priority health needs ¹ About 200 million people take a Teva medicine every day ².

_{Caroline Muthoni Mate, Founder, The Cancer Café gave the closing remarks and call to action} 

Through multiple partnerships established in 2017, Teva is helping to further understand the perspective of the MCC patient, beyond access to quality medicines. We have learned that with each additional chronic condition, annual costs increase significantly among low-income US populations ³. Our research has also uncovered certain conditions that occur together more frequently, such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, tuberculosis and diabetes and HIV/AIDS and cardiovascular disease ⁴. We are now designing a peer-led program for patients with MCC to help improve medication adherence and other behaviors related to self-management. Our work to understand and address MCC reflects our continued commitment to enhancing access to medicines and care for patients in need.

_{Panelists Iris Beck-Codner, Teva; Katie Dain, NCD Alliance; and Dr. Rachel Nugent, RTI International}

For more information on Teva’s recent efforts to elevate awareness of MCC, please visit our website.

Footnotes

[1] World Health Organization. 2017. Essential Medicines List. Available: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/273826/EML-20-eng.pdf?ua=1 

[2] Internal analysis estimating number of Teva consumers. Dated 30/8/2016, conducted by Global Business Intelligence and Global Customer Insight

[3] Mount Sinai. Research expected to be published in 2019.

[4] Hajat, C. & Stein, E. 2018. The global burden of multiple chronic conditions: A narrative review. Preventive medicine reports. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6214883/