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«The power of TOGETHER» #ΗDynamiTouMazi

«The power of TOGETHER» #ΗDynamiTouMazi
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AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, to respond effectively to a changing world and increased disease burden, we continuously invest in one of the most powerful and efficient production lines in the pharmaceutical industry. We work hard to deliver life-changing medicines and treatments to patients around the world.

We continue to push the boundaries of science to deliver innovative medicines and therapies that prevent, treat and cure some of the world's most important health challenges, including cancer, diabetes, heart, kidney and respiratory diseases. At AstraZeneca, innovation is a concept intertwined with growth. It is the driving force behind our vision to improve the lives of thousands of people by bringing them innovative treatments. At the same time, we ensure that these medicines reach the patients who need them, in a way that benefits society and our planet.

 

Greece - AstraZeneca



Objective Action

AstraZeneca, having as its priorities the stable availability of its medicines to patients, the support of the scientific and health community, as well as the safeguarding of the health of employees, is at the forefront, highlighting the importance of unity in the joint effort to deal with the pandemic.

With a central message: "The Power of MAZI", the biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca takes dynamic initiatives in Greece and worldwide, participating and contributing to the fight against Sars-Cov-2.

 

Target Audience

The company's initiatives are primarily aimed at patients, scientific and healthcare staff, AstraZeneca's human resources, as well as the general public.

 

Duration

AstraZeneca has been taking initiatives since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and continues throughout its duration.


Description

  • In difficult times, the dynamics of all TOGETHER multiplies. We all become a great force, a great team, that TOGETHER we will fight to face every difficulty. AstraZeneca's human resources, patients, scientific and health staff in this difficult time are "Our people". We are TOGETHER on the front line, united to face all challenges.

Recognizing the superhuman efforts of our country's health personnel and within the framework of the "The Power of TOGETHER" initiative, AstraZeneca wanted to express a big "Thank you" for their heroic efforts, by implementing a communication plan.

#ΗDynamiTouMazi and #oidikoimasiroes were the main messages of the visuals, which aimed to:

  • To express gratitude to the country's health personnel for their heroic efforts
  • To communicate AstraZeneca's dynamic initiatives in the fight against Sars-Cov-2

Communication materials include:

  • Create special visuals: Action logo, web banners and listings
  • Promotion in the print and electronic press and on social media
  • Update through Press Releases

Technology and Innovation

Globally, AstraZeneca has accelerated development in the field of diagnostic testing and partnered with governments to conduct existing screening programs to enhance population testing. The company's Research and Development teams are working to identify monoclonal antibodies and evaluate them in clinical trials as a treatment for the prevention of the disease COVID-19.

AstraZeneca, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, proceeded to develop the successful vaccine AZD1222 against the disease COVID-19 in just 9 months, with the aim of making it available on a large scale in Europe and worldwide. The company's commitment is equal and wide access to the vaccine, without profit during the pandemic.

Scientific and Health Community

AstraZeneca responded to the need for continuous information for frontline medical staff by organizing live webcasts of global scope, in which leading experts and representatives of the global scientific community shared and discussed the latest scientific knowledge about the disease COVID-19.

Globally, the company proceeded to donate 9 million medical masks to support healthcare workers, while in Greece the company participated in the collective national effort of the Association of Pharmaceutical Companies of Greece to deal with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 disease and increased hospital needs, offering the Ministry of Health 4,000 FFP2 medical masks, 10 ICU vital signs monitors and 43,000 PCR tests.

Patients are a priority

Realizing the company's commitment to uninterrupted and continuous access for Patients to the treatment they need regardless of conditions, we work to ensure the stable availability of our medicines, while ensuring their safety, quality and effectiveness.

  • Drug home delivery program

In the unprecedented circumstances it has created, AstraZeneca has taken the initiative to support the Patient Plus home delivery program.

  • Webinars in collaboration with Patient Associations

​AstraZeneca supported online training seminars which were implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Patients' Association, the Hellenic Cancer Federation and the "Alma Zois" patient association.

Understanding the patients' need for communication and wanting to significantly contribute to the improvement of the new living conditions imposed by the pandemic, the company supports the organization of webinars for learning the basic handling of common information and communication platforms.

AstraZeneca supports the Hellenic Cancer Federation (HELLOK) with the following actions:

  1. Digital training: Responding to this need, AstraZeneca supports the training program for the executives of the members of the Hellenic Cancer Federation, but also for cancer patients and their caregivers in general, in information and communication technology skills.
  2. Information on the effects of the disease Covid-19: We aim to provide responsible information to cancer patients, their families, survivors and the general public, regarding the effects of the disease covid-19, prevention and protection measures. With the timely and effective information and the correct evaluation of the new data in the health care structures of the country, we aim to continue the care of oncology patients without interruption and safely.
  3. Support campaign "Habits Changed. Cancer No”: The aim of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the early diagnosis and seamless treatment of cancer in the midst of a pandemic, by the Hellenic Cancer Federation. Watch the video of the campaign "Habits Changed. Cancer No" by selecting the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-_nr66xSo4&feature=youtu.be.

Employee safety, support and information

To protect the health and safety of its employees, AstraZeneca is implementing measures to reduce the risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2:

  • Implement telecommuting for most of the workforce and create teams to avoid crowding in the workplace when needed. Special instructions and rules are applied for the safety of workers in the office areas, while those workers employed in departments that have a critical role in the distribution of medicines, continue their work in the distribution areas, applying all the necessary precautions
  • Regular internal employee briefing, with online townhalls - "Staying Safe", regarding developments regarding Covid-19 as well as all initiatives undertaken by the company at international and local level
  • Provision of surgical masks for those who work in the offices and for those who move in the field and regular briefing and provision of instructions for the correct application of safety measures, such as the correct use of masks, regular and correct hand washing, etc.
  • Partnering with a medical diagnostic center for COVID-19 detection tests for workers and their families
  • Online communication and information from a specialist doctor-pathologist about the virus
  • Advice on proper nutrition and the possibility of contacting a nutritionist
  • Ergonomics advice on the importance of correct body position during work

Putting TOGETHER into action: Mental Health & Empowerment

Especially for the unprecedented period of lockdown, emphasis was placed on communication between people at AstraZeneca with the aim of enlivening, maintaining team spirit, mutual support and strengthening theTOGETHER, with regular online meetings of the whole company. On the company's intranet - workplace, employees shared with their colleagues photos from their daily lives and exchanged messages, while "Challenge" actions were carried out with the aim of participation and strengthening employee morale.

At the same time, a support framework was created by a specialist psychologist with survival tips during the pandemic for young and old, with an emphasis on stress and anxiety management, as well as strengthening the immune system, while employees are provided with the possibility of an individual online meeting with a specialist psychologist. In this direction, AstraZeneca, proceeded in collaboration with Hellas EAP, with the operation of a 24/7/365 telephone support line with the aim of providing psychological support to employees and their family members, as well as with the continuous distribution of informative material, both in matters related to Covid-19, as well as in general matters of mental health, prevention & management of important diseases and wider health and well-being.

AstraZeneca's "The Power of TOGETHER" received a triple award at the Healthcare Business Awards 2020 in the "Actions to tackle Covid-19" category.

In the following link you can see accompanying supporting material:

https://az.box.com/s/2dfqktq838y9plrq71c0km0m04tl7zl7


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Impact on Society

The "Strength of Together" initiatives implemented at the local level had a positive impact on the communities concerned and contributed in various ways to the better management and response to the pandemic.

I qualified mention:

  • AstraZeneca, through SFEE, offered the Ministry of Health 4,000 FFP2 medical masks, 10 ICU vital signs monitors and 43,000 PCR tests
  • The live webcasts were watched by more than 69,000 Health Professionals from 152 countries, while 1,560 Health Professionals of different specialties participated from Greece
  • We have ensured seamless and continuous access for Patients to our medicines and treatments
  • Supporting patients with actions adapted to the new conditions and meeting their needs: online seminars/workshops, information campaign and home delivery of medicines
  • The 24/7/365 Counseling Support Telephone Line received 13 calls (6.5%) between October 2020 - January 2021 and was utilized at a rate of 69% for challenges that have emerged due to the coronavirus, and by extension for wider issues of work, personal and family nature. The satisfaction indices were high with 98% expressing satisfaction with the quality of the service: 98% and 100% recommending the service to a colleague

We note that with the conditional marketing authorization of the AZD1222 vaccine received from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), all European member states, including Greece, have at their disposal a safe and effective vaccine that protects 100% against the severe disease and nursing.



Initiative Location

Nationwide.


Working with Organization

AstraZeneca cooperates with the health authorities and competent bodies for the availability of the vaccine in our country, contributing to the National Vaccination Program.

For the various initiatives it undertakes to deal with the pandemic, it collaborates with competent agencies and organizations, patient associations, scientific bodies, including the Ministry of Health, SFEE, the Hellenic Patients' Association, the Hellenic Cancer Federation, the patients' association "Alma Zois" et al.


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Workers Participation

AstraZeneca employees responded positively, with their participation, recognizing and reinforcing the message that in challenges and difficult times, the power of togetherness multiplies.


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Benefits for Οrganization

"The Power of mAZi" and the initiatives we undertake, reflect AstraZeneca's priorities which focus on 3 pillars: stable patient availability and access to our medicines, support of the scientific and healthcare community and employee safety.

Internally, "The Power of MAZi" contributes to the strengthening of team spirit and mutual support among the company's employees and strengthens the feeling of security at a professional level.




Connection with Global Goals







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