We push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines.
Through our commitment to Sustainability, we aim to improve lives by reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through expanding disease prevention, infrastructure capacity and affordability.We are a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and respiratory. We are also selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. AstraZeneca’s innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
We want to be valued and trusted by our stakeholders as a source of great medicines over the long term. We are committed to operating in a way that recognises the interconnection between business growth, the needs of society and the limitations of our planet. Our sustainability commitments, which are driven by our Purpose and Values, are intrinsic to our business model and support the delivery of our business strategy.
Our organisation is involved in NCD prevention and control through the Access to Healthcare pillar of our sustainability work.
Healthcare is a universal right and extending access to healthcare is a global goal to which we can significantly contribute. We work with the industry and our partners to remove barriers to access, not build them. Our in-depth understanding of the healthcare systems of emerging countries and healthcare needs of the people who live there has helped us develop our science-based strategy. We create our programmes to best meet the needs of local communities. In some cases, this means overcoming barriers to healthcare, including access and affordability of our medicines.
By educating and empowering people to understand how lifestyle choices affect health, we hope to play a key role in creating a healthier society – for the current and future generations.
We prioritise six sustainability issues identified by our materiality assessment: developing infrastructures for efficient healthcare systems; impacting positive societal health outcomes; supporting long-term solutions for product affordability; addressing NCD prevention; responding to healthcare reforms; and balancing intellectual property rights.
As it relates to NCDs, we place particular emphasis on disease prevention and adolescents through our Young Health Programme. With more than 2/3 of premature deaths from NCDs linked to behaviours that started in youth, we believe that a focused investment in prevention programming, advocacy and research is a critical part of addressing this growing global health issue.
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136 Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 8PA
United Kingdom
With the UN High-Level Meeting and renewed commitment to the Alma Ata Declaration in the forseeable future, Dr Shakira Choonara reflects on what youth engagement really means, and how youth can and should be truly included to advance progress on tackling NCDs.
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