Pierre Fabre joins with Shanghai health groups for anti-cancer fund

French pharmaceutical and dermocosmetic group Pierre Fabre has sponsored the establishment of a special fund in an effort to reduce adverse reactions to targeted medicine and promote multidisciplinary collaboration within hospitals.

The special fund was jointly launched by the Shanghai Anti-cancer Foundation, Huashan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University, and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, the special fund aims to reduce adverse reactions to targeted cancer drugs and raise the quality of both medical treatment and the quality of life of cancer patients.

Data from the National Cancer Center showed in recent years, the number of newly detected cancer patients increased annually. The application of anticancer drugs extends patients’ lifespans but side effects also emerge, especially those related to skin.

Industry experts noted for adverse reactions caused by tumor-target drugs, the traditional single-division diagnosis and treatment model is difficult to achieve desired results, and multidisciplinary collaboration and comprehensive management are needed.

Mao Ying, head of Huashan Hospital, said "Focus on the adverse reactions of targeted medicine will further raise the clinical and scientific research ability of related disciplines, and offer patients better treatment services."

"As adverse reactions involve various systems in the human body, especially the skin, liver, kidneys and blood, multidisciplinary collaboration within comprehensive hospitals is imperative," deputy head of the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Wu Jiong said.

Yin Yongxiang, secretary general of the Shanghai Anticancer Foundation, said: "The special fund, which is supported by Pierre Fabre and two top medical institutions, will enhance doctors’ awareness of the diagnosis and treatment norms related to the adverse reactions of targeted drugs, improve the efficiency of collaborative diagnosis and treatment and strengthen patients’ understanding of common adverse reactions of targeted medicine."

Kyung-ae Choe, managing director for Pierre-Fabre Dermo-Cosmetique China, said: "As a pharmaceutical company with strong medical research and development background, we have rich experience in helping cancer patients treat adverse reactions. It is hoped the special fund will help more cancer patients."