Cardiovascular Disease Health Management White Paper Launched at the 5th CIIE Alongside Bayer's Aspirin Sustainability Initiative 'Protect Beyond the Heart'

Bayer Launches "Protection Beyond the Heart" Sustainable Development Plan for Aspirin

ShanghaiNovember 9, 2022PR Newswire -- November 9, 2022, The White Paper on Cardiovascular Disease Health Management was officially released at the 5th China International Import Expo. This white paper was jointly initiated by Life Times Co., Ltd. and Bayer, with data research conducted by the Global Times Public Opinion Research Center. A questionnaire survey was carried out among patients and their families across seven major regions of China, covering 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. The white paper was reviewed and launched after joint analysis and evaluation by data analysts and authoritative medical experts, aiming to identify key areas for improving public awareness of cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment based on a comprehensive understanding of the public's insufficient knowledge about cardiovascular diseases, thereby promoting high-quality development in science popularization work. Meanwhile, given that climate change has become one of the leading causes of an increasing number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the introduction of aspirin, Bayer launched a sustainability initiative for aspirin -- "Protection Beyond the Heart" -- to fulfill the company’s commitment to promoting sustainable product use.

Nearly 20% of Cardiovascular Disease Patients Fail to Continuously Monitor Their Condition

As health awareness among residents in China continues to improve, certain achievements have been made in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but the situation remains severe. Guo Yi-fang, Deputy Director of Hebei Provincial People's Hospital and Chief Physician of the Cardiology Department, stated: "Data shows that two out of every five deaths in China are caused by cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to strengthen secondary prevention (preventing recurrence) while ensuring primary prevention (preventing onset) of cardiovascular diseases, intervening and managing the health of patients who already have coronary heart disease or a history of stroke."

However, this survey shows that the level of concern for cardiovascular health among residents in China is insufficient. Among the respondents, nearly 20% of patients fail to continuously monitor their condition. Of those already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, only 62.9% regularly monitor their blood pressure, 56.1% maintain consistent exercise, 41.5% fail to follow a healthy diet, and 59.3% do not control alcohol consumption.

Vice President Guo Yifang analyzed: "Overall, cardiovascular disease patients pay high attention to secondary prevention, but nearly 20% of patients fail to maintain consistent focus. Based on the large number of cardiovascular disease patients in China, it is estimated that nearly 60 million patients lack sufficient awareness of secondary prevention, which will greatly hinder the prevention of disease recurrence. Moreover, patients' demand for knowledge related to effective medication, lifestyle adjustments, and daily monitoring is lower than that of their family members, creating potential risks for disease recurrence."

"Stopping medication as soon as symptoms improve significantly increases the risk of recurrence."

Wang Fang, Chief Physician of the Cardiology Department at Beijing Hospital, stated: "Following the doctor's advice to take medication regularly, monitoring blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar on time, and having regular follow-up visits are all effective measures for secondary prevention, but clinically, it has been found that many patients do not perform well in these aspects."

The "White Paper on Cardiovascular Disease Health Management" shows that only 55.9% of patients choose "standard medication use." Some patients do not take their medications on time or forget to take them; others, swayed by friends' recommendations, arbitrarily switch medications or seek "folk remedies and wonder drugs"; some, out of concern for potential drug side effects,擅自 stop or reduce their medications when their condition slightly improves; others believe there is no need for regular monitoring and follow-up visits.

Especially, many patients cannot adhere to long-term regular preventive medication after receiving treatment for an episode, believing that taking medication makes no difference compared to not taking it. Concerns about the economic burden of long-term medication also pose an obstacle to secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease patients, with 23.6% of patients expressing worries about high drug costs. Over half of the patients who do not regularly visit the hospital for follow-up checks find "going to the hospital troublesome," while three to four out of ten patients, experiencing no uncomfortable symptoms, believe there is no need for regular monitoring or follow-up visits.

Dr. Liu Jian, Chief Physician of the Cardiology Department at Peking University People's Hospital, emphasized: "These irrational medication practices may increase the risk of recurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Not following medical advice can either aggravate or lead to disease recurrence, and in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening. The World Health Organization has repeatedly called for strict adherence to medical advice as the key to reducing the recurrence and mortality rates of chronic diseases globally."

In the treatment and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, aspirin is unanimously recommended by clinical guidelines both in China and internationally. However, the usage rate of aspirin among high-risk populations for cardiovascular diseases in China is insufficient, and the standardization of its use also needs improvement.

"Insist on Rational Drug Use as the 'Heart Protector'"

Li Jian, Chief Physician of the Cardiology Department at Huashan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University, stated: "The 2016 European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice clearly points out that with effective prevention, 80% of heart diseases, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and over 40% of cancers can be avoided. Therefore, patients with cardiovascular diseases urgently need to address the gap in secondary prevention. Particularly after being discharged following an episode, they must not let their guard down. They should follow medical advice, take medications on time, undergo regular check-ups, and keep blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar, uric acid, and weight within a reasonable range."

Preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases is a long-term process, and adhering to proper medication is one of the most important strategies for secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Surveys show that the highest proportion of patients taking medication are aged 50-59 (56.5%); among drugs used for secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, patients have the highest awareness rate of aspirin (68.2%); the usage rate of aspirin as a secondary prevention drug reaches 27.3%; of the patients taking aspirin, 90.7% can take it according to the doctor's advice, and 76.2% can continue taking it for more than half a year; among patients and their families, 73.6% believe that taking aspirin can reduce the risk of thrombosis, and 69.5% believe it can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Bayer Launches Aspirin Sustainability Initiative "Protection Beyond the Heart"

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of aspirin, a century-old legend that still plays a role in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. While safeguarding patients' health, Bayer is also fulfilling its responsibility to protect the environment with practical actions.

Chen Wanjun, Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Prescription Drugs at Bayer AG, stated: "125 years ago, Aspirin was born in a Bayer laboratory. This century-old brand remains vibrant today, representing Bayer's relentless scientific spirit and continuously fulfilling our commitment to patients and society. On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Aspirin’s creation, Bayer is launching a new sustainability initiative for Aspirin – ‘Protection Beyond the Heart.’ As part of the company’s commitment to promoting the sustainable use of its products, this initiative aligns with Bayer’s corporate vision of ‘Health for All, Hunger for None.’"

Climate change has become a growing cause of chronic diseases and other health issues, including cardiovascular diseases. It is estimated that in 2019, more than 5 million people worldwide died due to environmental pollution, with 61.9% of these deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases.

"Protection Beyond the Heart" – The Aspirin Sustainable Development Plan includes optimizing packaging, reducing the use of cartons, plastic, and aluminum foil, cutting down 28 million blister packs annually, saving 28 tons of plastic and aluminum, as well as 20 tons of cardboard. Additionally, Aspirin’s instruction leaflets are printed in black and white, which requires less water and chemical treatment during recycling. Bayer will also continue to seek other sustainable solutions to further optimize the production and packaging processes of Aspirin.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements by the management of Bayer AG based on current assumptions and forecasts. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause the company's actual operational results, financial condition, development, or performance in the future to differ materially from the estimates made in the aforementioned forward-looking statements. These factors are disclosed on Bayer's official website.www.bayer.comThe various reports of Bayer published. The Company has no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to align them with future events or developments.