What we asked: “Looking ahead to the next 5–10 years, what will be the key disruptors and/or what can be improved upon in the pharma industry?”
Response from: Derek Wallace, President, Takeda Vaccine Business Unit
One area of improvement is clear to me: a need to shift from reactive to proactive measures in tackling global health challenges.
Throughout my career in vaccine development, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that proactive strategies can have on combatting complex health challenges. A great example – and opportunity – is in infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. As mosquito-borne diseases, they are often exacerbated by the weather fluctuations we are experiencing globally, underscoring the undeniable impact of climate change on human health. We’ve seen this play out in headlines across the world tied to major outbreaks and the growing threat of these diseases
But what does being proactive mean? For mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, we must continue to invest in vaccination, while improving existing tactics such as surveillance, strengthening public health systems, and promoting widespread education and community engagement efforts to control and eliminate vectors. It's this preparation that helps ensure readiness before epidemics or outbreaks strike.
In addition, we must recognize that the effectiveness of preventative measures hinges on global collaboration. Diseases do not respect borders and are a global problem. A united approach involving health authorities, the private sector, communities at risk, public health organizations, and government bodies, is vital. These collaborative efforts will help foster an environment where coordinated strategies can be effectively applied and innovative solutions can emerge.
This shift is crucial not only for managing mosquito-borne diseases but also for ensuring the resilience of our health systems in the face of new health challenges, whether tied to climatic changes or other future threats that will undoubtedly arise.
Read over 100 other views on the future of the pharma industry on our special web page.
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