Health Information

Supporting Our Community Through Education and Health Information

A lot can be said about corporate responsibility. At a time when social and ethical conduct helps define organizations as much as their products and services, Astellas has taken a bold step to ensure the continuing confidence and trust of our valued and diverse stakeholders. The Astellas Charter of Corporate Conduct is a far reaching pledge based on our belief in the need for high ethical standards in order to realize our business philosophy in our corporate activities.

The application of this Charter can be seen on a daily basis through the nature of our business and professional relationships, in broader engagements at the local, regional and national levels, as well as in the development of innovative and award-winning community based educational initiatives that have been made possible through Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.

More than two million Canadians have a chronic and chronically recurring skin condition called atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema. Moderate to severe forms of eczema can have a profound, life-altering impact on sufferers as well as their family or caregivers. Research conducted with eczema patients and caregivers from across Canada, along with input from a Medical Advisory Board helped focus our attention on the importance of compliance as a key factor in managing eczema. A unique on-line program designed specifically for Protopic users is aimed at improving treatment outcomes by helping individuals follow their prescribed treatment plan

The Eczema Awareness Support and Education (EASE) program, repeated winner of the Canadian Dermatology Association Award for Excellence in Public Education, was developed in collaboration with Canadian dermatologists to meet the need for comprehensive, non-commercial information on eczema. Funded through an educational grant from Astellas Pharma Canada, EASE operates nationally to provide materials, community outreach and on-line information to AD sufferers as well as to support the counseling efforts of healthcare professionals. Materials are available in English, French and Mandarin. One of the goals of EASE is to help eczema sufferers better understand the chronic nature of this disease, its triggers, treatment options and psychosocial issues. Penny’s World is an animated book and website that was created to help the youngest eczema sufferers learn about their condition with easy to grasp concepts and language, colourful illustrations and fun games. EASE continues to introduce unique solutions to improve the overall quality of life and outcomes for those affected by atopic dermatitis.

Visit: www.eczemacanada.ca and www.PennysWorld.ca

Psoriasis is another important skin disease affecting more than one million Canadians, many of whom suffer from the moderate to severe form of the disease. Beyond the physical manifestations, psoriasis sufferers can experience considerable psychological and social effects as they struggle to cope with this chronic, discouraging condition. According to a study conducted by the National Psoriasis Foundation, a vast majority of individuals with psoriasis were frustrated with the ineffectiveness of their treatment and many believed that their treatments were not aggressive enough.

Everyone needs a little support sometimes. Practical help, in the form of knowledge and information about the condition and treatment options as well as a sense of community to combat the feelings of isolation and frustration, is critical to empower psoriasis sufferers to seek help and find the confidence and encouragement they so greatly require.

Psoriasis Support Canada (PSC) is a unique Canadian online community designed with “support” in mind and can be found at www.psoriasissupport.ca. National and fully bilingual, PSC is designed to assist Canadian psoriasis sufferers in dealing with the emotional and physical impact of their condition. PSC is a dynamic program that continually seeks out and updates appropriate health and lifestyle resources, community services and healthcare professionals. For those with psoriasis, or those affected by the condition, PSC is a 24/7 portal with resources and information such as practical tips and discussion forum to better understand, manage and treat the condition.

Visit Psoriasis Support Canada at www.psoriasissupport.ca for more information.

Community outreach continues to play a pivotal role in securing a successful future for transplantation. Astellas serves as a compelling voice to the transplant community through advocacy and the support of numerous associations including the World Transplant Games, the Canadian Kidney and Liver Foundations, the Canadian Transplant Association for patients and the Canadian Association of Transplant Nurses and the International Transplant Nurses Society. Astellas also supports symposia to help further medical knowledge and generally contribute to fellowships supporting clinical or basic research in kidney, liver, heart and lung transplantation.

The remarkable success in organ transplantation over the past two decades has created a burgeoning demand for transplant procedures. At the same time, the Canadian health care system is facing serious constraints in terms of resources and funding. As a result, there are immediate and growing needs to assist the health care system in several areas of kidney transplantation, including educational services to patients before and after surgery. A unique educational support program supported by Astellas Pharma Canada called Transplant Companions has been set up in more than 11 Canadian transplant centres to help individuals become better prepared for a kidney transplant.

Small, interactive workshops led by trained transplant health care professionals and kidney recipients are what make this a unique learning experience. The Transplant Companions program consists of a 2 hour workshop made up of approximately 15 individuals who are awaiting a transplant. Participants receive a workbook filled with information, suggested activities and a measure of humour to help cope with the seriousness of their condition. Facilitators receive an intensive training workshop and teaching manual to help them present the course. Brochures explaining the program, posters and multimedia resources along with a regular newsletter are other components. An interactive website (www.transplantcompanions.ca) has been introduced to serve as a refresher for workshop attendees or those in remote areas of the country.

Visit Transplant Companions at www.transplantcompanions.ca

The Powder Room is a national, non-commercial and fully bilingual online community. It brings together individuals with overactive bladder, their family, friends and healthcare professionals.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic medical condition that causes the sudden and sometimes uncomfortable need to urinate. Along with these troubling physicial symptoms, many OAB sufferers also experience the embarrassment and frustration that accompanies the associated urge and frequency of urination. The Powder Room offers a welcoming place for Canadians to find information on OAB. It is a virtual place where people with OAB can share their experiences, get answers to their questions and concerns, and express themselves through personal stories and thoughts about their condition and how they feel. In addition, the non-commercial site will present relevant news and valuable educational information regarding OAB to subscribers.

The Powder Room has been made available through an educational grant from Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. Astellas supports public education and disease awareness programs that seek to contribute to health promotion in a number of therapeutic areas. Material included in the Powder Room has been carefully reviewed by healthcare professionals for accuracy and relevance so that individuals can have confidence in the quality and accuracy of the information that is available.

Visit the Powder Room at www.powderroom.ca