Patient Support and Advocacy
Improving Disease-related Literacy for Patients, Their Families, and Society
Public Lectures
Sumitomo Pharma holds public lectures nationwide not only for patients and their families but also for the wider general public with the objective of promoting the correct understanding of diseases and contributing to the solving of social issues.
In fiscal 2021, we organized 15 public lectures on Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 12 on diabetes and 1 on mental illness. The lectures were held mainly online to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The common theme of the lectures on PD and DLB was "Looking to the future, contribute to a fulfilling lifestyle for patients and their caregivers," while that for the lectures on diabetes was "Importance of early treatment for diabetes."
The total number of attendees for all of the lectures was around 1,700 and about half of them responded to the questionnaire given afterwards. More than 90% of respondents evaluated the content of lectures positively. Going forward, we will endeavor to further improve lecture content to enhance our contribution to raising disease literacy among patients, their families and the general public.
Results of questionnaire on public lectures held in fiscal 2021
*The same questionnaire was given for all lectures, calculating totals for responses. Multiple responses were not allowed.
Providing Disease Information for Patients and General Public on Health Information Websites
Website on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Through Kokoro Share (https://kokoro-share.jp/, available in Japanese only), we provide patients and their families with accurate information on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in an easy-to-understand manner, and contribute to appropriate diagnosis, treatment and a better life.
Enjoying Rehabilitation while Cooking in Kitchen
The concept of Rehabili Kitchen for Parksinson's Disease Patients (https://healthcare-sumitomo-pharma.jp/disease/parkinson/kitchen/index.html, available in Japanese only) is rehabilitation during cooking to increase awareness of each individual movement.
We introduce cooking-themed rehabilitation that can be done at home with videos.
Finding out what movements they are capable of, our hope is that patients will spend their days in a healthful way while sharing the enjoyment of cooking with family members or caregivers.
Daily self-care matched to lifestyle of those with type 2 diabetes
"Diabetes My Care Notebook (https://healthcare-sumitomo-pharma.jp/disease/diabetes/, available in Japanese only)" provides information on daily self-care through diet and exercise for those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which they can start straightaway. It includes both things that are simple to do and things that require a bit of preparation, so we hope that people will adopt dietary and exercise therapies that are easy to continue in their daily lives.
Collaboration with Patient Groups and Promotion of Support Activities through Donations
Support for Patient Groups in Japan
The groups that Sumitomo Pharma prioritizes are those supporting patients and their families. Our donations are not only those from the Company itself but also matching donations, where the Company donate the same amount or more as contribution by our executives and employees.
Main Donations in fiscal 2021
- ● Network for NANBYO Children of Japan
- ● Japan Patients Association
- ● Japan Fabry Disease Patients and Family Association
- ● Japan Epilepsy Association
- ● Japan Parkinson's Disease Association
- ● Dementia People and Family Association
- ● Children's Cancer Association of Japan
- ● Japan TSUBASA Association
- ● RDD JAPAN Organization
Sunovion Participates in Walks and Bicycle Rides Supporting Mental Health and Parkinson's disease Communities
Sunovion employees participating in walking events
Sunovion, our U.S. subsidiary, participates in walks and bicycle rides throughout the year that raise awareness and funds to support people living with serious mental illness and Parkinson's disease.
National Alliance on Mental Illness（NAMI）Walks Your Way events occur across the U.S. to bring greater awareness to serious mental illness (SMI) and reduce stigmas associated with SMI. Participants gain a greater sense of community while raising funds to help people living with SMI.
The New England Parkinson's Ride, now in its 12th year, is an annual event benefiting the Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF). Riders can ride 10, 30, 50- or 100-mile routes to raise money and awareness of Parkinson's disease.
Sunovion participates in other events including, The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Optimism Walk and The Parkinson's Foundation Moving Day as well.
Sunovion's President and CEO Chairs 2021 AFSP Annual Lifesavers Gala
President and CEO of Sunovion, which chaired the 2021 AFSP Annual Life Savers Gala
The 2021 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Annual Lifesavers Gala※ was filled with inspiring stories and meaningful remarks from a diverse array of speakers, including Gala Chair and Sunovion President and CEO, Antony Loebel and many more who have been impacted by suicide.
Over 500 people attended the Gala and the sales and donations, including ticket sales and auctions, will be used to fund AFSP's Project 2025 initiative. AFSP's Project 2025 initiative has the goal of reducing the U.S. suicide rate 20% by 2025.
※Lifesavers Gala: Annual Charity Conference for suicide prevention research, education, support programs, and advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels held by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Supports the Families of Patients with Mental Illness
Since 2019, our Chinese subsidiary Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has been collaborating with the ZhongShe Social Work Development Foundation, a charitable organization recognized by China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, to work on activities that support the Care For Family (CAFF) Flower Garden Project, China's first public welfare activity aimed at the children and families of patients with mental illness. In 2020, the company supported an initiative to build an online platform that can strengthen communication between children and provide daily and multi-faceted psychoeducation.
Employees taking part in CAFF
Children and an employee in a three-legged race
Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Supports Art Therapy for People with Mental Illness and People with an Intellectual Disability
Since 2019, Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) has been working with World of Art Brut Culture (WABC), a non-profit organization in China, to support art therapy for people with an intellectual disability or other special needs. The aim is to create mental and psychological stability through painting as well as fostering a sense of self-worth and enabling participants to engage in social life with more self-confidence. As well as ongoing donations for the operation of painting classes, 23 officers and employees took part in activities held in Beijing and Shanghai in 2020 and painted pictures with nine students with disabilities. The participants helped one another paint pictures sharing a sense of achievement and the joy of collaboration.
An employee painting
A painting created through collaboration