Content Topic: Health awareness

Turning Blue for Breath: How MSD Supports Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

On May 5, World Pulmonary Hypertension Day, MSD lit up its Riverview building in Prague with blue lights. This was to show support for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a serious condition that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. It affects around 100,000 people in the Czech Republic and deserves more public attention. Jakub Zadák, Market Access Director and Business Unit Head Pharmaceuticals, and Jana Brožová, Cardiology Franchise Manager at MSD, discussed what MSD does to support these patients.

Jana: Jakub, how did you like our Riverview building glowing blue?

Jakub: Yes, I did! It was a special moment as MSD joined a campaign to support PH patients, especially when other buildings in Prague, Brno, and Olomouc also lit up in blue.

Jana: Tell us more about this campaign. What does it mean?

Jakub: The blue light honors patients fighting PH, a disease that slowly takes away their breath. They face several symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, which can progress even to heart failure. It is often misdiagnosed as asthma or other conditions.  Over 1% of these patients suffer from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare form of PH, which has a devastating impact. It not only affects health but also limits daily activities and work productivity, placing a heavy burden on families and caregivers. For example, in the Czech Republic, over 81% of PAH patients of working age rely on disability benefits, with two-thirds receiving the highest level of support. Only 31% remain economically active.

Jana: Luckily, thanks to a better understanding of the disease and modern treatments, patients’ outlook and quality of life have improved a lot recently. I’m proud that MSD has been leading the way in PAH research and development.

Jakub: Yes, so do I. Jana, could you explain where you see your role in this effort?

Jana: My task is to make sure no patient in the Czech Republic is left behind. We run campaigns to raise awareness about their hidden struggles. By bringing together doctors, patients, policymakers, and regulators, we can help turn the disease from a deadly fate into a manageable one.

And now to you, Jakub. For the past year and a half you have been leading our efforts via not one but two roles in our company. What have you learned from this?

Jakub: It’s been a great experience. I’ve learned how important it is for different teams to work together. When we align our plans, it really helps patients get access to treatments they need, especially for tough diseases like PAH. I’ve also learned to be flexible because healthcare is always changing. And clear communication is key. We need to explain the value of our treatment well to get support. Overall, this has made me even more committed to helping patients get the best care.

Jana: That’s interesting! Why do you think that MSD supports employees in this way, encouraging them to grow and develop through different job assignments?

Jakub: MSD really focuses on developing its people, and such job assignments are an important part of that. We let employees try new roles and learn about different parts of the company. This helps our colleagues see the bigger picture and think creatively. We also pair employees with mentors who help them set goals and reflect on what they learn. These assignments build skills and encourage teamwork and continuous improvement across MSD.

Jana: Thank you for this interesting talk, Jakub. I hope that our readers now understand better our efforts to support PH and PAH patients and also how we work at MSD.

The story of HPV vaccination in the Czech Republic

January is recognized as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to raise public awareness about cervical cancer, a disease fatal for about 300 Czech women annually. These are needless deaths because developing this type of cancer, caused primarily by the human papillomavirus (HPV), can be prevented by vaccination. The Czech Republic aims to vaccinate at least 90% of girls under the age of 15 against HPV by 2030, and significantly increase the vaccination rate of boys. Yet, current vaccination rates with over 70% in Czech girls and 50% in boys remain insufficient. Much still needs to be done.

Lucie: Significant effort was invested at the beginning. What were some of the key milestones since that time?

Dan: The first came in 2012 when vaccination for 13-year-old girls started to be reimbursed by public health insurance. Reimbursement is always a key precondition for making vaccines more accessible, supporting increase in its uptake. In 2015, more potent, nonavalent vaccination was introduced, which offered broader protection against more HPV types. In 2018, the vaccination was also offered to boys, which was another significant step forward. This contributed to a decrease in the prevalence of HPV-associated diseases, with fewer cases of cervical lesions and a dramatic decrease in prevalence of genital warts. Yet, no earlier than in 2022 the HPV vaccination received full reimbursement for all 13-year-old children. Lastly, in 2024, the reimbursed cohort was expanded to boys and girls aged 11 to 14.

Lucie: How did the vaccination rates develop?

Dan: Initially, the uptake was slow, and it concerned girls only. And see today – by 2023, approximately 72% of girls and 55% of boys had been vaccinated. This demonstrates that all the awareness efforts, including ours, along with changes in reimbursement policy and the overall ecosystem, have been making a real impact. The game-changer was inclusion of boys in the vaccination program. Our cooperation with organizations like HPV College, professional societies, insurance companies, patient organizations, and other important stakeholders have also played crucial roles in driving this progress.

Dan: Speaking of roles, Lucie, how do you see your position within the team?

Lucie: Within our team, I focus on making data-driven decisions while valuing feedback from our field representatives, in close cooperation with our policy and medical department. These insights are essential for staying connected to the needs of both healthcare professionals and the public.

Dan: Your role seems to involve key aspects of listening and adapting. What has been your biggest challenge?

Lucie: One of our biggest challenges is convincing people in regions with lower vaccination rates. These areas often show strong resistance due to a lack of knowledge and a lot of misinformation. We need to understand their concerns and find effective ways to communicate and engage in meaningful conversations. We continually refine our strategies to tackle these challenges and ensure people feel heard and informed.

Dan: Looking ahead, what will be your key focus areas for this year?

Lucie: I plan to expand our communication strategy by focusing more on reaching fathers and engaging children in schools. Our goal is to create inclusive campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. And what about you as the Unit Director?

Dan: My main goal for this year is to support an increase in the vaccination rates in regions where the rate is still low. To achieve this, we will continue to combat misinformation and build trust within these communities. We will also focus on providing healthcare providers with the tools and resources they need to advocate for vaccination effectively. Ultimately, we aim to ensure broader protection and contribute to public health by making vaccination more accessible and widely accepted. With its experience and expertise, MSD is also ready to support regulatory authorities in their effort to develop a national cervical cancer elimination plan. Experience from other countries, such as Australia, shows that adopting a comprehensive national plan, combining access to vaccination, screening, and treatment, can lead to a decrease in the incidence of HPV-associated cancers to almost an elimination level.