Bayer, Sanofi and Amgen unite for Parliamentary Heart Health Day

Pharma News: Over 30 politicians received heart health checks at Parliament House today in a joint initiative by Amgen, Bayer and Sanofi, in partnership with the Heart Foundation and the Parliamentary Friends of Heart Health.

The event – now in its fifth year – reinforced the importance of prioritising regular Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Checks and equipped attendees with timely education aimed at getting cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and risk management back on the nation’s agenda.

The 2022 event follows a record-breaking year for Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Checks with more than 360,000 Australians now having taken one with their GP, including more than 15,000 in September – the most in a single month since the Checks were launched in 2019.

Heart Foundation CEO David Lloyd said today’s turn out by Parliamentarians and their staff was an acknowledgement that the nation’s leaders valued their heart health and that of their communities.

“The information and advice they receive today will help them understand their risk of developing cardiovascular disease within the next five years, afford them time to take preventative action with support from their GP, and encourage their constituents to speak with their GPs about a Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check,” Mr Lloyd said.

“Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Checks are currently our most effective weapon in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, which is otherwise a silent killer whose first symptom if left undetected could be a heart attack or stroke. The Heart Foundation thanks our partners for today’s event and for their support in preventing cardiovascular disease. We dearly hope it encourages the Federal Government to secure Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Checks for Australians beyond June 2023.”

“This event is a great example of how industry, community and Government are collaborating in Australia to help tackle one of our nation’s most pressing health issues. At Bayer, we believe in the power of a partnered approach and so we’re very proud to join Amgen, Sanofi and the Heart Foundation on this important initiative to help drive heart health awareness and action across Australia,” said Ashraf Al-Ouf, CEO of Bayer ANZ Group.

“This event aims to increase education about cardiovascular disease and highlight the importance of regular Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Checks. With cardiovascular disease retaining its position as one of the leading causes of death in Australia(1), this objective remains just as important and this event serves as a valuable reminder that when it comes to heart health, individuals must know their risk factors,” said Dr Cae Tolman, Country Medical Director, Amgen Australia and New Zealand.

“Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Australia and heart health checks may be a potential prevention tool for many people. This event is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and we are pleased to be leading the way and partnering with industry to do so,” said Karen Hood, Country Lead and General Manager General Medicines, Sanofi Australia and New Zealand.

The health checks performed at the Parliamentary Heart Health Day tested the blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and waist circumference measurements of attending politicians. Referrals for additional screening were provided as needed.

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