Health Awareness

Strengthening Our Community Through Public Awareness, Education and Support

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 Pharma Inc. 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. Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. supports public education and disease awareness programs that seek to contribute to health promotion in a number of therapeutic areas.

The application of the 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 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 online 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's Public Education Award, 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, Inc., the EASE Program (www.eczemacanada.ca) operates nationally to provide educational materials, community outreach and online information to AD sufferers, as well as to support the counselling efforts of healthcare professionals. All materials are available in English and French, and the EASE Program handbook is also available in Mandarin, Punjabi and Vietnamese. One of the goals of the EASE Program is to help eczema sufferers better understand the chronic nature of this disease, its triggers, treatment options and psychosocial issues.

Penny's World was created to help the youngest eczema sufferers learn about their condition through an animated book and website (www.pennysworld.ca) that features easy-to-grasp concepts and language, colourful illustrations and fun games. The EASE Program continues to introduce unique solutions to improve the overall quality of life and outcomes for those affected by atopic dermatitis.

Visit the EASE Program at www.eczemacanada.ca and Penny's World at www.pennysworld.ca for more information.

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, are 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 Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Liver Foundation, the Canadian Transplant Association, the Canadian Association of Transplant Nurses and the International Transplant Nurses Society. Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. 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 healthcare system is facing serious constraints in terms of resources and funding. As a result, there are immediate and growing needs to assist the healthcare system in several areas of kidney transplantation, including educational services for patients before and after surgery. A unique educational support program supported by Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., Transplant Companions, has been set up in thirteen Canadian transplant centres to help individuals and their families become better prepared for a kidney transplant.

Small, interactive workshops led by trained transplant healthcare professionals and kidney recipients are what make this a unique learning experience. The Transplant Companions program consists of a two-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) serves 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 (www.powderroom.ca). 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 the troubling physical effects of the condition, 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 presents relevant news and valuable educational information regarding OAB to subscribers.

Public awareness campaigns have drawn greater attention to the difficulties that OAB sufferers encounter. The Powder Room's Cross Canada Powder Room Map provides a valuable service by enabling visitors to rate the quality of public restroom facilities across Canada. Other resources include a multilingual wallet card, designed to help travellers ask for the restroom in nine different languages.

The Powder Room is funded through an educational grant from Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.. 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. The program has been recognized with awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society and the Health Care Public Relations Association.

Visit the Powder Room at www.powderroom.ca for more information.