Non-Communicable Diseases Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs

Prevention and control activities need to be systematically promoted to combat NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases), the leading cause of death in the world.

According to the WHO definition, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that have common causes such as unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, and that can be prevented through lifestyle modification. In a narrow sense, NCDs include cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases, with some suggesting the addition of mental illness and trauma, but no formal agreement has been reached. In 2012, 68% of the 56 million deaths worldwide, or 38 million people, died from NCDs. Of these deaths, 80% were in developing countries. (*1,*2) According to a June 2018 WHO fact sheet, 41 million people, or 71% of all deaths worldwide, die each year from NCDs. Another 15 million people die from NCDs between the ages of 30 and 69, with more than 85% of these "premature" deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. (*3)

Percentage of deaths among those aged 70 and older (*4)

In May 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the "Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020," a framework that includes international NCDs targets and indicators. The 2013-2020 Action Plan addresses four NCDs (cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease) and four behavioral risk factors (tobacco, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption). . To emphasize the importance of "prevention and control of NCDs," the 2013-2020 Action Plan sets a "25 by 25" goal (to reduce mortality from NCDs by 25% by 2025 among people aged 30 to 70 years) and calls for six multi-sectoral, cross-sectoral, multi-agency, and multi-agency collaboration at national, regional, and global levels. Efforts are underway to realize the six policies (*6) based on cooperation by The UN General Assembly convened its third high-level meeting on NCDs in 2018, where it was agreed that national leaders would be responsible for their countries' efforts to prevent and treat NCDs.
In addition, target 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which was unanimously adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015, calls for a one-third reduction in youth mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030 through prevention and treatment and and promote mental health and well-being.
IFPMA also established the "Framework for Action for the Prevention and Control of NCDs" in June 2011, which is placed on top of the action plan, and has established several partnerships aimed at preventing NCDs and improving access to medicines for NCDs in developing countries. The NCDs prevention and access to medicines for NCDs in developing countries are being improved through the establishment of several partnerships. In addition, industry contributions to NCDs are aggregated and posted on a special website. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) supports the "Framework for Action for the Prevention and Control of NCDs" developed by the IFPMA and will explore possibilities for collaboration with various stakeholders to resolve issues related to the prevention and control of NCDs.
Pharmaceutical Association member companies have created numerous new drugs for NCDs that are currently marketed worldwide. Today, they continue to focus on research and development to create new drugs in the field of NCDs, both within their own companies and in partnership with other stakeholders. In addition, we continue to expand our presence in countries around the world to promote public health and disease awareness, and to supply the world with the new drugs that are created.

  • As of December 2023

    6 WHO's six policy recommendations

    1. International cooperation and policy advocacy: Raise the priority of prevention and control of NCDs in action plans at national, regional, and global levels, and in internationally agreed development goals through international cooperation and policy advocacy.
    2. Country-led multi-sectoral response: Strengthen cross-sectoral action and collaboration, along with national leadership, response capacity, and implementation to accelerate countries' response to prevent and manage NCDs.
    3. Risk Factors and Determinants: Create health-promoting environments to reduce risk factors for NCDs (smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption) and underlying social factors.
    4. Health care system and universal health coverage: Adapt and strengthen the health care system for the prevention and management of NCDs and their social factors by achieving patient-centered primary health care and universal health coverage.
    5. Research, Development and Innovation: strengthen and support countries' high-quality research and development capacity for the prevention and management of NCDs.
    6. Research and Monitoring: Monitor trends in NCDs and their drivers, and assess progress in prevention and control.

Examples of member companies' efforts

Access Accelerated Access Accelerated is a public-private partnership initiative established in 2017 to address the growing burden of disease from non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries, with the participation of more than 20 pharmaceutical companies, including seven Japanese companies. In collaboration with the World Bank, international NGOs, and others, it is working to achieve the SDG target (3.4) of reducing premature deaths attributable to NCDs by one-third by 2030 through improved access to prevention, treatment, and care.
*Astellas Pharma, Eisai, Shionogi, Daiichi Sankyo, Sumitomo Pharma, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Chugai Pharmaceuticals

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