Abbvie’s Global ‘Join The Fight Against Autoimmune Diseases’ campaign takes to the sky
Abbvie’s Global ‘Join The Fight Against Autoimmune Diseases’ campaign takes to the sky
In recent years, Autoimmune Diseases have been placed more firmly on the global agenda with an increasing focus placed on creating awareness around the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of the approximately 80 incurable diseases. This category of crippling diseases often render patients depressed, alone, in severe pain and unable to lead a productive career or active life.
“Despite there being no cure for autoimmune diseases, modern-day therapies have made it possible for patients to lead full, healthy and active lives. Increasing awareness, diagnosis and access to these therapies remain a key challenge and require the support, buy-in and commitment from all key industry players, including the private sector, government, funders and healthcare providers,” says Annette Vukovski, Business Unit Manager Immunology, at AbbVie, a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company.
In line with the global ‘Join the Fight against Autoimmune Diseases’ campaign, the Arthritis Foundation of Southern Africa, in partnership with AbbVie, recently hosted a ‘dinner in the sky’. The evening encompassed an informal round-table discussion on autoimmune diseases, specifically Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), one of the most debilitating Autoimmune Diseases affecting approximately 1% of the total world population1. This evening served as a much needed start to the conversation between key players, and those who attended this conversation included autoimmune diseases patients, the Deputy Minister of Health – Dr Gwen Malegwale Ramokgopa, funders, and healthcare providers.
“The event provided invaluable insights into key challenges and again highlighted the importance and necessity of establishing key partnerships across the full industry spectrum to treat this disease effectively and empower autoimmune diseases patients to reclaim control over their lives,” says Mike Boddy, CEO of the Arthritis Foundation of Southern Africa.
Key challenges identified and discussed during the evening include:
· An acute lack of awareness amongst the general public
· Late and misdiagnosis of the disease with most patients experiencing symptoms for approximately two years prior to diagnosis
· Prolonged referral process from primary to tertiary care, further delaying the accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment of the autoimmune disease
· Access to adequate treatment in both the public and private sectors
· Skills shortages in both the public and private sectors with few rheumatologists available and GP’s trained in the field of rheumatology
Nici Bruchhausen and Wendy Potgieter (autoimmune diseases patients)
Speaking at the event, Wendy Potgieter, an RA patient diagnosed in 2001, experienced these challenges first-hand. With 75% of autoimmune diseases patients being female, it really is scary what impact it has on the economy with caregivers not being able to perform at full capacity. “I struggled for 8 years, going from treatment to treatment and finally got put on a biologic. Biologics literally changed my life. I am able to lead a full life, look after my three beautiful children, and very proud to have completed the Absa Cape Epic in March this year,” says Wendy. “An early diagnosis is imperative, as the longer RA patients wait for the correct treatment, the more chance of other complications and joint damage occurs,” she says.
Nici Bruchhausen, a 23 year old Crohn’s patient, echoes Wendy. “I joined a medical aid that imposed a 3 month waiting period before they would pay for my biologic. This would have cost us over R27 000 for me to continue treatment. The autoimmune diseases community is amazing, they donated treatment to me during this period and not one month did I have to suffer with no treatment”. Nici is also able to live a full and ‘normal’ life now. “After 3 years of trying all the conventional medication, and them failing to work, being able to be on biologic treatment has meant I can accomplish things in life that ‘normal’ people take for granted. Being able to sit through a 45 minute lecture without running to the loo is the perfect example,” she says.
Both felt the evening was heart-warming for patients and that they are excited and happy about the conversation re: Autoimmune Diseases growing louder and more frequent and how this will ultimately help all future patients to lead a happy life.
The conversation is set to grow even louder as AbbVie releases the findings of its largest global rheumatoid arthritis patient survey. “The survey is aimed at cultivating a deepened sense of understanding around this disease and demonstrates the debilitating effects of RA if left undiagnosed and untreated. We hope that it will further fuel the discussion and serve as a key catalyst to action,” Annette concludes.
