AstraZeneca and the Journey of Sustainable Development with Vietnam
In nearly 30 years of operating in Vietnam, AstraZeneca has been actively contributing to improving the quality of life, enhancing healthcare, and promoting sustainable development.
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| The Ministry of Health and AstraZeneca Vietnam at the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony on March 8, 2023 |
Joining hands to improve the quality of life, sustainable development with Vietnam
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company with British-Swedish heritage. It is also one of the first foreign-invested pharmaceutical companies to be established in Vietnam, currently employing over 600 staff members who are committed to the sustainable development of healthcare, well-being and the environment of Vietnam. In early 2023, AstraZeneca Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health on comprehensive collaboration in the areas of drug research and development, drug manufacturing, disease prevention and control, and the establishment of a sustainable healthcare system.
AstraZeneca’s commitment to the community and society is evident through its pioneering initiatives in Vietnam. During the COVID-19 pandemic, under the strong guidance of the Party, State, and Government, AstraZeneca actively collaborated with relevant ministries, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, to urgently supply vaccines for the fight against the pandemic. AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine became the first approved, distributed, and used in Vietnam. Through advance purchase agreements and bilateral assistance from governments, AstraZeneca has provided over 72 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, estimated to have contributed to preventing more than 232,000 deaths in Vietnam.
AstraZeneca’s enduring partnership with Vietnamese healthcare agencies and organizations is underscored by a multitude of impactful initiatives. Amongst them are the “Healthy Lung Programme” to improve the quality of outpatient management of asthma, COPD and lung cancer; “Young Health Programme” to prevent and reduce NCD risk behaviours amongst young people; and “CaReMe” programme to transform the cardiovascular-renal-metabolic care ecosystem; “Love your lungs” campaign to raise awareness about screening for early detection of lung cancer; and programme “Health System Sustainability and Resilience” (PHSSR) to holistically reinforce the Vietnamese health system so that it can guard against future risks.
Actively promoting innovation, technology transfer, and environmental protection
In Vietnam, AstraZeneca has been at the forefront of sponsoring clinical trials for many years. With a committed investment of USD 360 million (VND 8.5 trillion) until 2030, a significant portion is dedicated to R&D, strengthening Vietnam’s research capabilities and expanding patient’s access to advanced drugs.
In October 2023, AstraZeneca has also been granted a technology transfer registration certificate, allowing the transfer of innovative pharmaceutical production technology to Vietnam. This step aligns with the company’s USD 90 million investment to enhance domestic pharmaceutical production capacity.
Most recently, together with the Vietnamese Young Physicians’ Association, AstraZeneca launched the “Healthcare Innovation Network,” which highlights the “Digital Transformation for Lung Health” project, aiming to benefit 100,000 people in 2023. It serves as a significant leap towards innovation in healthcare and digital transformation.
Apart from its focus on science, technology, and enhancing healthcare system capabilities, AstraZeneca demonstrates its dedication to Vietnam’s sustainable development goals through substantial investments, notably the recent announcement made in May 2023, where AstraZeneca pledged a USD 50 million investment to restore forests and landscapes. This investment aligns with Vietnam’s ambitious objective of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long awarded the State President’s Friendship Medal to Mr. Nitin Kapoor - Chairman of AstraZeneca Vietnam, December 2023. |
Mr. Nitin Kapoor, Chairman of AstraZeneca Vietnam, expressed his perspective, saying, “Throughout the years, AstraZeneca has consistently prioritized the health of the people and sustainable development in Vietnam. With the valuable support and partnership of the Government, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other departments, I take immense pride in witnessing the positive outcomes that our collective efforts have brought positive results, leading to innovation and sustainability in the healthcare sector. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to pushing the boundaries of science, introducing life-transforming medications, and continually enhancing the lives of the Vietnamese population.”
With AstraZeneca’s contributions in various fields, the company has been awarded certificates of merit by the Prime Minister for its outstanding contributions to Vietnam’s vaccine diplomacy (2022), the Ministry of Health for exceptional dedication in cancer treatment (2019), remarkable contributions in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam (2020), and achievements in breast cancer awareness and support for cancer patients (2022).
Moreover, Mr. Nitin Kapoor, Chairman of AstraZeneca Vietnam, has been honourably awarded the State’s President Friendship, recognizing his exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the Vietnamese Government’s pandemic response and healthcare improvement efforts.
In addition to its reputation as a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to R&D and medical advancement, AstraZeneca has also been consistently recognized as one of the “Top 100 best places to work in Vietnam”. These accolades from the community and society serve as undeniable proof of AstraZeneca’s remarkable dedication to the healthcare sector and sustainable development in Vietnam.
