Xi'an Janssen Partners with China Primary Health Care Foundation to Support Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients

BEIJING, May 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On the occasion of International Pulmonary Hypertension Day, Actelion, a Janssen pharmaceutical company under Johnson & Johnson, announced its sponsorship and support for the launch of the "Caring Hearts and Lungs" patient care program and the "China Blue Lips Care" public welfare communication campaign by the China Primary Health Care Foundation. These initiatives aim to raise public awareness of pulmonary hypertension, provide comprehensive disease management services for patients, and promote standardized diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing the disease burden, extending life expectancy, and improving quality of life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these efforts also offer enhanced support to both patients and healthcare professionals.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a chronic, life-threatening disease known as the "cancer of the cardiopulmonary vascular system." Patients experience significantly elevated pulmonary artery pressure, which subsequently leads to right heart failure and severe reduction in exercise tolerance; in severe cases, it can result in death. Common symptoms include dyspnea, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and hemoptysis. Some patients develop cyanosis (a bluish-purple discoloration of the lips) due to hypoxia, earning them the moniker "the blue-lipped community." Living with pulmonary arterial hypertension is akin to climbing a mountain, requiring patients to push against resistance at every moment.

The prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension is approximately 15 to 60 cases per million population.^[i], the vast majority are women, most of whom are in the prime of their lives. Data show that it takes approximately 3.9 years from the onset of initial symptoms to the initiation of treatment.^[ii], while the median survival for untreated patients after diagnosis is only 2.8 years^[iii]. If patients do not receive timely diagnosis and standardized treatment, their prognosis and various aspects of their physical and psychological well-being will be severely affected, while their family members, friends, and caregivers will also bear a significant burden.^[ii]The recent emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered patients’ access to medical care, preventing regular follow-up visits and continuous treatment, thereby posing significant challenges to their life and health.

Ms. Hu Ningning, Vice Chairperson of the China Primary Health Care Foundation, stated, “In response to the national ‘Healthy China 2030’ initiative and adhering to the mission of ‘healthcare for all,’ the China Primary Health Care Foundation is continuously advancing multiple support programs aimed at protecting people’s lives and health, particularly for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, in collaboration with Actelion, a Janssen pharmaceutical company under Johnson & Johnson, we are launching the ‘Compassionate Lung Care’ patient support program and the ‘China Blue Lips Care’ public awareness campaign. These initiatives call on society to pay greater attention to PAH patients, leveraging internet-based and innovative healthcare solutions to address the challenges faced by patients and their families in disease treatment and management, thereby helping patients extend their lives and alleviate the burden of the disease.”

“Over the 35 years of serving Chinese patients, Xian Janssen has been committed to meeting the growing healthcare needs of Chinese patients and their families by providing high-quality innovative products, striving tirelessly for their health and well-being. We are steadfast supporters of the Outline of the ‘Healthy China 2030’ Plan.””Mr. Chen Jian, Vice President of Government Affairs and Market Access at Xian Janssen, stated.

Over the past two decades, Actelion’s medical solutions have helped numerous patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension worldwide improve their prognosis and enhance their quality of life. In the future, as part of Xian Janssen, Actelion will continue to promote early diagnosis and treatment through innovation and collaboration, support standardized diagnosis and therapy, upgrade patient education and disease management services, and help patients return to normal lives.

The “Heart-Lung Care” Patient Support Program is a long-term initiative. Phase I was implemented from May 2020 to December 2020. The program aims to establish a one-stop online service platform and pilot centers for pulmonary hypertension, connecting patients, program coordinators, nurses, and physicians through integrated online and offline channels. This facilitates communication between patients and healthcare professionals, and provides long-term disease management services including disease education, streamlined follow-up visits, patient monitoring, and disease risk assessment. These efforts aim to improve patients’ treatment experience, enhance adherence, delay disease progression, and reduce hospitalizations.

Professor Gu Hong from the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, emphasized: "The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are non-specific and difficult to detect in the early stages. If patients experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, reduced exercise capacity, or even syncope after physical activity, they should not ignore these signs and must seek medical attention at a reputable hospital as soon as possible. Additionally, adherence to prescribed treatment and regular follow-ups to assess the condition are crucial for patients to achieve or maintain a low-risk status, which can help them benefit in the long term."。”

Furthermore, the “China Blue Lips Care” public welfare communication campaign, launched simultaneously today, has united academicians, experts, physicians, patient alliances, prominent media outlets, social influencers, and volunteers. The initiative calls for public attention to the community of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), applauding and encouraging those PAH patients striving to survive under the challenges of the global pandemic, as well as the healthcare workers bravely fighting on the front lines. The project includes launching the social media relay campaign #CareForBlueLips, ApplaudForLife# across new media platforms, holding a cloud-based press conference, featuring live streams by academicians, and producing micro-films depicting the stories of PAH patients.

Mr. Qiao Baofeng, Secretary-General of the Pulmonary Hypertension Patient Alliance, stated, “Every life is precious, and the pain and costs borne by each patient and their families are immeasurable. We welcome and appreciate the attention and support from all sectors of society for pulmonary hypertension, a rare disease. We have heard your heartfelt applause.””

[i] 2018 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension. Chin J Cardiol 2018;496:933-64

[ii] American Thoracic Society, 2010. Breathing in America: Diseases, Progress, and Hope. Available at: https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/breathing-in-america/

[iii] D′Alonzo GE, et al. Ann Intern Med, 1991,115(5)343-349