Prevention: a key factor for success
Given the stark reality of an aging population in all Western countries, in addition to Japan and now in China, and as health care spending explodes*, prevention has become fundamental. It helps limit or delay the onset of diseases, to ensure early and therefore less costly treatments, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their caregivers.
Pierre Fabre has always favored a global approach to care, based on the complementary nature of its activities – pharmaceuticals, family health care and dermo-cosmetics – which give it a holistic view of health. Its diversified and complementary product ranges place the company in a unique position in the industry to offer therapeutic treatments and patient support as well as prevention solutions: products (sun care, smoking cessation), tools, services and information.
Raising public awareness
Throughout the year, Pierre Fabre is actively involved in the major campaigns organized to raise awareness of cancer and the importance of screening among both the general public and employees: Blue March for colorectal cancer, awareness of melanoma in May, and Pink October for breast cancer.
Initiatives are multiplying in France and in our subsidiaries to reach as many people as possible and encourage them to be tested. Among the many examples, two mobile breast cancer screening units were deployed in Morocco as part of Pink October. This activity covered two rural regions of Morocco, in partnership with the authorities and associations. The project involved 150 volunteer doctors, who were able to examine more than 800 women.The Group also used its expertise in dermatology to carry out an active prevention campaign in 2022 on actinic keratosis, a disease that is directly linked to excessive sun exposure and which mainly affects bald men who expose their head to the sun without protection.
In addition to these campaigns, the Group takes action in favor of prevention that involves all brands and the development of services and tools to promote identification of risks. The Eau Thermale Avène brand’s commitment to the European Skin Cancer Foundation (ESCF), which works on educating people about skin cancers, is just one example.
Since 2010, the ESCF has been rolling out SunPass certification for institutions caring for young children, attesting to the implementation of sun protection measures.
Helping health care professionals strengthen prevention
Health care professionals are also key players in prevention because they are in direct contact with patients. The Pierre Fabre Group works closely with them to involve and train them.
This is how Tabagora was created, a free smoking cessation training platform for health care professionals (doctors, pharmacists, tobacco treatment specialists, etc.). It includes online training modules, summaries of current events and patient cases developed with tobacco experts.
Tabagora helps to care both for the general population and for specific populations, such as pregnant women. A follow-up kit is also offered to health care professionals to support their discussions with patients.
Furthermore, targeted actions have been developed for pharmacists, who play an advisory and local role. To mark Pink October, pharmacists in France were offered training to help them raise awareness among women about breast cancer and self-examination
Mobilizing and involving employees
The Group’s employees are fully involved in prevention initiatives, acting as ambassadors and helping to amplify them. Soraia de Matos, Patient Centricity Project Manager, explains: “For Pink October in 2022, 11 employees agreed to share their experience as a patient or loved one of a patient suffering from breast cancer.” Their stories about the importance of early diagnosis and what helped them cope with the disease were shared on social networks and reached 5.5 million people.