Linking all parties in the ecosystem 'in one stop', the second Novartis China Patient Day was successfully held.

Recently, the second Novartis China Patient Day event successfully concluded in Shanghai. This year's event, themed "Collaborating to Excel, Benefiting Patients," brought together representatives from patient organizations, industry experts, technology companies, and other stakeholders. Focusing on three key topics—health literacy, patient advocacy, and patient empowerment—the event shared industry best practices and future development directions, advancing the "patient-centric" industry practice toward high-quality development, optimizing the patient journey, and improving treatment standards and patient satisfaction.

Yao Li, President and Managing Director of Novartis China, stated: "As a pharmaceutical company dedicated to innovative medicines, Novartis remains committed to its mission of 'reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives.' Fulfilling this mission requires close collaboration with industry partners. Guided by our patient-centric philosophy, we aim to establish Novartis China Patient Day as a vital platform connecting all stakeholders. Through this annual flagship initiative, we align with emerging industry trends and urgent patient needs, inspiring continuous exploration, practice, and sharing of innovative solutions to drive medical advancements. This ensures more patients benefit from scientific progress and share in the achievements of better health."

Yao Li, President and Managing Director of Novartis China, delivering a speech

Enhancing Health Literacy to Meet Patients' Comprehensive Needs from Treatment to Social Support

With advancements in modern medical technology, innovative solutions have emerged for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and autoimmune disorders, significantly improving patients' quality of life and longevity. At the same time, enhancing health literacy to promote healthy behaviors and disease management not only positively impacts individual health but also improves doctor-patient communication, indirectly boosting healthcare efficiency and societal health outcomes.

Zhong Li (pen name: Pineapple), a renowned cancer science writer and Secretary-General of the Shiyu Children's Public Welfare Foundation, shared at the event: "My mother is a breast cancer survivor. When she was diagnosed in 2004, I was shocked and confused. Despite being a senior biology student at Tsinghua University, I knew nothing about the disease or medical terminology, leaving me unable to contribute meaningfully to her treatment decisions or care. This experience led me to science communication, hoping to empower every patient to become the 'primary decision-maker' for their health. By providing comprehensive and systematic education, patients can better understand their conditions, engage in discussions with doctors, and adopt effective treatments—leading to better outcomes and faster recovery."

Zhong Li (pen name: Pineapple), renowned cancer science writer and Secretary-General of the Shiyu Children's Public Welfare Foundation, speaking

"For patients with skin diseases like psoriasis, the stigma and public misconceptions often cause more distress than the physical symptoms. I’m delighted that China’s first public welfare film focusing on psoriasis patients, 'Hello, My Silver Love,' was released this year with Novartis’ support. The film raises awareness about psoriasis, portrays patients’ real lives, and encourages standardized treatments to help more patients regain health and reintegrate into society," said Yi Li, Communications Director of the Beijing Kangmeng Charity Foundation and Chronic Skin Disease Care Fund.

Yi Li, Communications Director of the Beijing Kangmeng Charity Foundation and Chronic Skin Disease Care Fund, speaking

Roundtable Discussion: Amplifying Patient Voices Through Media

Deepening Patient Advocacy: Ensuring Access to and Affordability of Innovative Medicines

With accelerated drug approvals, pilot programs in specific regions, and expanded insurance coverage, more patients now have access to high-value medicines and innovative therapies. Under the "patient-centric" approach, collecting and incorporating patient feedback is crucial for advancing drug approvals and insurance policies. Evidence derived from patient participation plays an increasingly vital role in evaluation systems.

To improve patient benefits more efficiently, China’s national reimbursement drug list (NRDL) adjustments have become routine. Notably, beyond price reductions, the innovation and clinical value of drugs—such as whether they address unmet needs or are first-in-class/best-in-class (FIC/BIC)—are also considered. This top-down encouragement of innovative therapies enhances affordability while fostering industry growth. Patient input remains essential for shaping policies and ensuring equitable access.

At the event, Novartis and stakeholders discussed how patient involvement can enhance drug accessibility and healthcare system development, exploring effective pathways for patient participation in medical decision-making and policy advocacy.

Zhengchen Liu, Chairman of the Beijing New Sunshine Charity Foundation, remarked: "Beyond national insurance, charitable medical aid serves as a supplementary mechanism to alleviate financial burdens and improve access to high-value drugs. New Sunshine pioneered the use of health technology assessment (HTA) tools to evaluate drugs based on efficacy, safety, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and equity—guiding aid decisions and ensuring efficient fund allocation. Moving forward, we hope to collaborate with more patient organizations to expand assessments and aid for additional diseases, bridging gaps between charitable and national medical support."

Zhengchen Liu, Chairman of the Beijing New Sunshine Charity Foundation, speaking

Advancing Digital Empowerment to Expand Patient Organization Impact

As health awareness grows, patients increasingly focus on disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The rise of patient communities and organizations addresses this need, providing platforms for information exchange and mutual support. By connecting real patient needs, these groups play a pivotal role in refining healthcare systems. Digital technologies further empower patient organizations, offering better education and personalized services while fostering broader social networks and collaborations with research institutions and NGOs—accelerating patient benefits.

To this end, the event featured workshops on "Patient Influencer Short Video Production" and "Community Management," equipping stakeholders with digital tools to enhance patient services.

Yiting Liu, Patient Community Lead at MJ Health, noted: "Online-offline integration has fueled the growth of patient communities. Digital platforms break time and space barriers, reaching more patients efficiently, while offline activities strengthen engagement and amplify influence. This synergy drives sustainable community development, offering warmth and hope throughout patients’ treatment journeys."

Yiting Liu, Patient Community Lead at MJ Health, speaking

Yang Liu, Head of Digital Commercial & Healthcare Solutions, Greater China at IQVIA, added: "AI’s integration across industries has transformed work and life, revolutionizing healthcare in drug R&D, diagnostics, personalized treatment, and clinical decision support. For instance, AI-powered virtual doctors can efficiently deliver disease education, addressing gaps in doctor-patient communication. Big data and AI enhance service quality, uncover patient insights, and enable tailored experiences—though challenges like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and ethical accountability must be addressed."

Yang Liu, Head of Digital Commercial & Healthcare Solutions, Greater China at IQVIA, speaking

Novartis’ cardiovascular education platform "Heart Care Companion" and dermatology platform "Skin Health Initiative" have leveraged AI since early 2024 to streamline access to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and psoriasis-related content, improving user engagement. Additionally, Novartis partnered with the Bethune Charitable Foundation to produce AI-generated educational videos featuring digital doctor avatars, significantly increasing content output and patient reach.