Challenges
AstraZeneca aimed to strengthen policy engagement and advocacy around non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in China, where chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders pose a growing public health and economic challenge. NCDs are responsible for over 80% of deaths in China, with premature mortality rates among the highest drivers of healthcare demand. The economic burden is equally significant, with direct treatment costs and indirect productivity losses estimated at hundreds of billions of RMB annually, straining both families and the healthcare system.
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While China has introduced national programs for NCD prevention and management, fragmented policy frameworks, uneven reimbursement access, and gaps in digital health integration continue to slow the adoption of innovative therapies and care models. For companies like AstraZeneca, advanced treatments often face delayed inclusion in reimbursement schemes and inconsistent regional adoption, limiting their impact despite proven clinical benefits.
Approach
To address AstraZeneca’s challenges in navigating the non-communicable disease (NCD) policy landscape, SILREAL designed a comprehensive policy and advocacy program. By combining healthcare policy analysis, reimbursement mapping, and structured stakeholder engagement, the project provided AstraZeneca with actionable insights and a clear roadmap to strengthen its NCD advocacy strategy across Europe.
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Policy Landscape Review: Conducted in-depth analysis of European and national NCD strategies, identifying policy gaps, funding priorities, and areas where AstraZeneca could contribute solutions.
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Regulatory & Reimbursement Mapping: Assessed how treatment and prevention models for NCDs were supported by regulators and payers, highlighting opportunities to align AstraZeneca’s advocacy with healthcare system needs.
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Stakeholder Engagement Strategy: Built a structured engagement plan with ministries of health, policymakers, healthcare associations, and patient groups to establish dialogue and strengthen AstraZeneca’s policy partnerships.
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Advocacy Materials & Positioning: Developed policy briefs, thought leadership papers, and key messaging tailored to health authorities, ensuring AstraZeneca’s contributions were visible and influential in NCD policy discussions.
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Strategic Roadmap Development: Designed a long-term advocacy roadmap linking AstraZeneca’s innovation pipeline to NCD prevention, early diagnosis, and access initiatives, ensuring consistency across markets.
Result
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Integration of NCDs into National Health Policy: Successfully contributed to the inclusion of NCD prevention and management into the National Basic Public Health Services (NBPHS) in September 2024. This milestone unlocked nationwide reimbursement pathways, improving patient access and strengthening AstraZeneca’s long-term positioning in China’s healthcare system.
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Revenue Growth through Policy Alignment: By aligning corporate strategy with China’s public health priorities, AstraZeneca enhanced its reputation as a trusted partner in NCD management. This policy-driven approach directly supported a revenue increase, demonstrating how strategic advocacy can translate into measurable market impact.
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Cross-border Life Sciences Collaboration: Facilitated bilateral engagement by connecting AstraZeneca with 1,200+ stakeholders, including regulators, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry leaders. These platforms fostered Germany-China knowledge transfer, built sustainable public-private partnerships, and strengthened AstraZeneca’s role in shaping healthcare policy dialogues.
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Long-term Policy Consulting Support: Provided ongoing healthcare policy advisory services, enabling AstraZeneca to navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, scale NCD-related initiatives, and sustain its leadership in healthcare innovation and patient access.