China, Tuesday, November 7, 2023
24-Hour Anti-Flu Support for China's Public Health Development
Roche Collaborates with Multiple Parties to Launch Patient-Centered Influenza Health Ecosystem
(November 7, 2023) Yesterday, at the 6th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE"), a press conference themed "Speeding to the Future, Blessing Thousands of Families" was successfully held at the Roche Pharmaceuticals China CIIE booth. For the first time, Roche joined hands with seven domestic healthcare and new retail partners—Meituan, Dingdang Medicine (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., United Family Healthcare, Healthapple, IQVIA, Micro Medical Group (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., and MedSci—to leverage their respective strengths and resources for comprehensive and in-depth cooperation in key areas such as "Pediatric Influenza Prevention and Treatment" and "Medicine + Digitalization." This collaboration will be patient-centered, accelerating the exploration of innovative integrated influenza prevention and treatment solutions in China, further improving the accessibility of Xofluza in China, supporting the development of China's public health sector, and benefiting Chinese influenza patients.
Roche Pharmaceuticals China Partners with 7 Healthcare and New Retail Companies to Enhance the Accessibility of Xofluza in China
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that globally, influenza causes about 5%-10% of adults and 20%-30% of children to be infected each year, resulting in up to 5 million severe cases and 650,000 deaths. According to a latest study in China, an average of approximately 88,000 people die annually from respiratory diseases caused by influenza in China, accounting for 8.2% of the total number of deaths from respiratory diseases, posing a serious threat to human health.
High-Quality Advancement of Healthy China Construction: Persisting in Reform and Innovation is an Urgent Requirement of a New Era. Xofluza (Baloxavir Marboxil), which has been showcased multiple times at the CIIE, is the first anti-influenza drug approved in 20 years with an innovative mechanism of action. It requires only a single dose, significantly reducing viral load and replication within 24 hours, shortening the contagious period, and markedly decreasing the duration of flu symptoms. This drug holds substantial clinical and social value.
It is reported that only eight months after the approval and market launch in China, Baloxavir Marboxil was included in the National Medical Insurance Catalog. At the same time, it supports online drug purchase through Internet hospitals, innovating an integrated "diagnosis-treatment and drug purchase" online service model for influenza. This provides Chinese people with a new, convenient, and effective integrated solution for influenza diagnosis and treatment.
Focus on High-Risk Influenza Populations, Expand Children's Antiviral Safety and Accessibility
With the arrival of the autumn-winter flu season, the public will face the severe challenge of a high incidence of influenza. According to the report on influenza outbreaks by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), over 90% of influenza cases occur in schools and childcare institutions. During flu outbreaks, the incidence rate among children can reach as high as 30-50%, with secondary infection rates caused by close family contact reaching 20-40%. In recent years, flu outbreaks in schools have become public health events, with complications caused by the flu and school closures drawing societal attention.
Respiratory infectious diseases are characterized by rapid transmission and significant challenges in prevention and control, posing an important challenge in the public health sector for major cities both in China and internationally. Professor Zeng Mei, Deputy Director of the Infectious Diseases Department at Fudan University's Children’s Hospital, stated that pediatric medical institutions also face immense pressure on medical resources during flu season. To enhance public awareness of flu prevention and control, Fudan University's Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with Peking University's Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, will jointly launch the first initiative combining prevention and treatment of influenza in children.Guideline, providing more references and guidance for clustered places of influenza outbreaks, especially hospitals and schools.
Professor Mei Zeng, Deputy Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Fudan University Affiliated Children's Hospital
At this year's CIIE, Roche's innovative influenza drug, Xofluza, once again appeared on the CIIE booth. Xofluza® is another significant innovative drug in the anti-influenza field by Roche Pharma following Tamiflu® (oseltamivir). In the treatment of influenza, optimizing the medication experience for children is another important topic. Ms. Chen Yi-Chuan, Vice President of Roche Pharma China's Specialty Medicine Division, announced for the first time at the press conference that the oral suspension granule formulation of baloxavir marboxil will soon enter China. The new oral suspension granule formulation will significantly improve children’s compliance and convenience of taking medicine, providing more treatment options for safe medication use in pediatric influenza.
Professor Zeng Mei emphasized, "It is hoped that medical institutions, schools, and families need to have more awareness of influenza, especially for families with elderly people and children, so as to achieve early diagnosis and treatment. Because the early use of anti-influenza virus drugs can shorten the duration of viral shedding. When the amount and duration of viral shedding are reduced, secondary transmission may decrease accordingly. Generally speaking, the golden time for influenza antiviral treatment is 48 hours. After getting the flu, one should seek medical attention and receive antiviral treatment as soon as possible."
To further ensure the accessibility of pediatric medication, Roche Pharmaceuticals China has reached a strategic partnership with United Family Healthcare and Healthapple Pediatric Clinics to jointly promote standardized treatment for pediatric influenza in China. Ms. Lu Yuehong, Vice President of the supply chain at United Family Healthcare, stated that United Family Healthcare has always been committed to providing personalized, high-quality medical service experiences for patients. Through this collaboration, they hope to better leverage the role of baloxavir marboxil in influenza prevention and control, contributing to the development of China’s public health initiatives. General Manager Lu Bo from Healthapple Pediatric Medical Group expressed: "We look forward to enhancing the safe and accessible use of medications for pediatric influenza through this cooperation, reducing the risk of children and their families contracting influenza and experiencing severe complications, while jointly safeguarding children's health."
Roche Pharmaceuticals China and United Family Healthcare Group Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony
Roche Pharmaceuticals China and Healthapple Pediatric Clinic Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony
Explore Innovative Cooperation Models to Bridge the Last "Mile" of Influenza Prevention
At the press conference, Roche Pharmaceuticals China will collaborate with Meituan Medicine, Dingdang Medicine(Beijing)Technology Co., Ltd., MedSci, IQVIA, and Micro Medical Group (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. to jointly build the "Speedy Future, Blessing Thousands of Families" project. With "Medicine + Digitalization" as the entry point, all parties will continuously explore new cooperation models to jointly promote the rapid development of accessibility and affordability of innovative drugs,打通中国流感防治的最后“一公里”, and create well-being for people's health.
Roche Pharmaceuticals China collaborates with Meituan Medicine, Dingdang Medicine(Beijing)Technology Co., Ltd., MedSci, IQVIA, and Micro Medical Group (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. to build the "Speedy Future, Blessing Thousands of Families" project.
The launch event also specially invited the China Population Welfare Foundation for this year's "November 1st World Flu Day."Fund"Flu Care Ambassador" Olympic champion Luo Xuejuan. At the press conference, she actively appealed: "Influenza is different from the common cold. Once infected with the flu virus, it can seriously affect an athlete’s performance and the daily work and life of ordinary people. As it is the peak flu season in autumn and winter, I hope that through my modest efforts, I can help raise public awareness about the flu and promote a scientific approach to dealing with it."
"Flu Care Prevention Ambassador" Olympic champion Ms. Luo Xuejuan
Ms. Bian Xin, President of Roche Pharmaceuticals China, stated: "Roche's innovative anti-influenza virus product, Xofluza, is once again showcased at the CIIE this year. As the world enters the post-pandemic era, during the autumn and winter seasons..."Respiratory Tract InfectionThe incidence of sexually transmitted diseases has risen significantly. With the arrival of the flu season, Roche Pharmaceuticals China will actively collaborate with all sectors of society to enhance the scientific understanding of flu prevention and treatment across the country, promote standardized flu treatment, and ensure the adequate supply of antiviral drugs during the flu season. We hope to gather the strength of all parties to jointly support public health security in China and build a strong public health defense against the flu!
Ms. Bian Xin, President of Roche Pharmaceuticals China
