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.