‘Expertise, innovation and community’ fuel launch of Heart Health Collective

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death and disease burden in Australia, affecting over 4.2 million people and accounting for more than 27% of all deaths annually. Novartis Australia has partnered with Advara HeartCare, the world’s largest single group of cardiologists and TerryWhite Chemmart, the nation’s largest community pharmacy network, to launch The Heart Health Collective.

By leveraging the combined expertise, innovation, and community reach of its members, The Heart Health Collective seeks to deliver tangible improvements in heart health outcomes across the nation.

“Improving heart health is at the core of what we do at Advara HeartCare. This collective with TerryWhite Chemmart and Novartis represents an unprecedented opportunity to impact cardiovascular outcomes in Australia,” said Dr David O’Donnell, CEO of Advara HeartCare. With more than 65 locations and 100 doctors nationwide, Advara HeartCare is Australia’s largest cardiology provider, serving both metropolitan and regional communities.

Matt Zeller, Country President of Novartis Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the innovative nature of the partnership.

“We are committed to working with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders to bring needed change in tackling CVD in Australia. The Heart Health Collective is a unique and innovative approach to partnering across the patient journey and ecosystem, with a special focus on meeting patients in their local communities. We hope to create new solutions, encourage experimentation, and pioneer novel models of care that will ultimately result in better health outcomes for Australians,” Zeller remarked.

The urgency of addressing CVD is underscored by alarming statistics: four out of five patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) on statins fail to reach the recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target. This highlights the critical need for innovative approaches in cardiovascular care.

Novartis’ first-in-class cholesterol-lowering medicine, Leqvio (inclisiran), a small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy, was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) earlier this year. Administered twice annually, Leqvio offers a new treatment option for patients whose cholesterol levels remain inadequately controlled with statins or ezetimibe. Clinical trials have shown it can reduce LDL-C levels by approximately 50%.

Nick Munroe, Executive General Manager of TerryWhite Chemmart, emphasised the role of community pharmacies in tackling CVD.

“Our partnership in the Heart Health Collective underscores TerryWhite Chemmart’s dedication to enhancing community health. By uniting with Advara HeartCare and Novartis, our network of over 600 pharmacies and their teams are taking a proactive step toward supporting those at risk of cardiovascular disease,” he said.

The Heart Health Collective is built on the belief that meaningful progress in heart health can only be achieved through collaboration. By combining care, expertise, and innovation, the Collective aims to empower Australians with the knowledge, resources, and treatments needed to take control of their cardiovascular health.

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