Giving diabetes solutions IT edge

Led by Andrew Hodge, Lilly China improves offerings to better meet Chinese society's changing needs

As China increases its efforts to provide low-cost and effective medical services through healthcare reforms, all market players including foreign companies will benefit, said Andrew Hodge, president and general manager for the China affiliate of the US-based drug maker Eli Lilly and Company.

Lilly's local head is committed to change. He has helped introduce new medical management measures in the era of big data and advanced technology.

Hodge is a seasoned leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He has accumulated rich experience in international business and cross-culture team management from his executive roles in a number of regions and countries worldwide.

Before he became president of Lilly China in 2013, Hodge served the company as vice-president of Lilly Diabetes in the United Kingdom for four years.

Like other global pharmaceutical firms, Lilly is betting big on China, but with a difference. It has been devoted to connecting patients with physicians to battle diabetes, in line with the Healthy China 2030 Plan, he said.

To help people living with diabetes access adequate medical resources and disease-prevention education, Lilly, together with Tencent, the internet giant in China, and DXY, the largest medical education platform in China, initiated Lilly Connected Care Program, or LCCP.

"In partnership with our two Chinese partners Tencent and DXY, Lilly China launched LCCP, a seamless and comprehensive diabetes management solution with offerings of quality medicine, advanced technologies and professional care service," said Hodge. "We believe this program can bring connected diabetes management solutions and connected care to further fulfill our commitment to Chinese diabetic patients."

The initiative is a new solution born in the era of advanced technology, which has lowered communication barriers between patients and their healthcare providers.

Through the WeChat app, a widely used social media platform, LCCP can connect patients with physicians, securely transmit the patient's health data, and facilitate the transfer of medical information at any time when needed. "Everything can be done through the phone," he said.

"In the era of big data, internet technology has made all aspects of life more convenient. Internet is absolutely beneficial to the pharmaceutical industry to connect physicians and patients for better disease communication, management and treatment," said Hodge. "IT and digitalization initiatives play an essential role in Lilly's diabetes solutions. We welcome such innovations that can help us benefit Chinese diabetic patients."

Supported by more than 9,000 researchers worldwide, the company invested $5.24 billion in research and development globally in 2016. It has about 4,000 employees in China and operates businesses in over 400 Chinese cities at all levels. Its country headquarters is located in Shanghai.

Hodge added that the diabetes diagnosis is traditionally made in a hospital. However, due to the large volume of patients and medical resource distribution imbalance, not all patients can get sufficient, timely treatment.

According to a 2016 WHO report, about 110 million Chinese people live with diabetes, which is one-tenth of the adult population. This number is expected to reach 150 million by 2040, bringing profound societal impact, according to the World Health Organization.

"As China's large population of elderly people grows older, dependence on cars increases, work pressure grows, and people get less sleep, there is bound to be an increase in the number of diabetes patients. There will also be an increase in the demand for drugs to battle diabetes," said Zhang Yuxin, a professor at China Medical University in Shenyang.

In addition, the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes creates an increasing need for the development of new therapies as most patients will require multiple medications during the disease continuum.

Zhang said proper treatment along with lifestyle changes can help patients tackle the disease. Diabetes care involves many aspects of the health system, including prevention, early detection, treatment and prevention of complications. So, it is important to develop a life-long model to tackle it.

Hodge said Lilly will concentrate on spreading awareness about diabetes in China and educating people on the need to give up unhealthy living habits and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

"The goal of LCCP is to enable patients to conduct out-of-hospital diabetes management in daily life and allow physicians to obtain blood glucose data even before meeting patients in hospital, thus realizing seamless connection of physicians and patients," Hodge said.

LCCP has been in operation for six months now and Hodge said many physicians shared positive feedback, saying their patients had witnessed improvement in blood glucose control after enrollment in the program.

Eager to compete with other established global rivals in China, Lilly has made specific plans to enhance its value proposition in the healthcare industry.