Bangalore, India, August 03, 2023: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited (Glenmark), a leading, integrated, research-led, global pharmaceutical company has joined hands with OMRON Healthcare India, the Indian arm of the Japanese global leader in home blood pressure monitoring and solutions for cardiovascular disease management, to raise awareness on measuring blood pressure at home from the age of 18.
The lack of specific guidelines on the right age to begin blood pressure screening has led to neglect in initiating checks, leaving many individuals vulnerable to hypertension and its complications. In response to this critical issue, Glenmark initiated discussions with 94 cardiologists across India, leading to a unanimous consensus that 18 is the ideal age to commence blood pressure screening. This expert consensus statement was published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India (JAPI) in 2020.
Glenmark and OMRON Healthcare India’s collaboration, named as “Take Charge @18” initiative, comprises of generating effective communication to enhance awareness around the cause via incorporating an inlay card into every OMRON Blood Pressure monitor sold in India. The message conveys the importance of initiating blood pressure screening at the right age which is 18 years. The objective is to encourage patients and care givers who come across this inlay card to sensitize at least four family members of or above the age of 18 to start monitoring their blood pressure and make it a part of their health regime. This message will also be seamlessly integrated into the OMRON Connect app, ensuring it reaches all its subscribers and also on OMRON social media and websites.
The impact of this awareness campaign will be extended further by reaching out to around 92,000 healthcare professionals (HCPs). This broader approach aims to further foster early screening of blood pressure and create a wider impact on hypertension awareness. With a staggering goal to raise awareness among ten crore Indians, this collaboration underscores Glenmark’s dedication to combating hypertension through ‘Take Charge @18’ and fostering a healthier society and also OMRON’s commitment to realise its vision of “Going for Zero” focusing on preventive healthcare to reduce incidents of hypertension-led events to realise zero heart attacks and zero brain strokes.
Speaking about this collaboration, Alok Malik, Executive Vice President & Head of India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., said, “As leaders in hypertension therapy, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on public health. Our collaboration with OMRON Healthcare India is a testament to our commitment to raise awareness about hypertension and early blood pressure screening. There has been a concerning rise in the incidence of hypertension among young adults in India, with about 10-30%ii of young adults (<40 years of age) suffering from high blood pressure in the country. Together, we aim to empower individuals to proactively safeguard their health from a young age.”
Tetsuya Yamada, Managing Director, OMRON Healthcare India said, “Partnering with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals for the ‘Take Charge @18’ campaign aligns perfectly with our vision of ‘Going for Zero’ promoting home blood pressure monitoring as one of the key preventive healthcare practices to significantly reduce hypertension-led diseases such as stroke and heart failure. Our internal studies indicate that the penetration rate of blood pressure monitors usage amongst hypertensive patients in India remains low at around 2% only. By integrating the campaign’s message into our products and services we aim to inspire millions to lead healthier lives.”
If regular Blood Pressure monitoring can start at early age, it can have a substantial long-term impact on overall health of individuals. A recent spike in cases of Heart Attack among young Indians is a worrisome trend. Awareness about comprehensive Hypertension management and data monitoring can be of great help in managing and preventing such cardiovascular events in near future.
According to a recent cross-sectional study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2023, the prevalence of hypertension has witnessed a concerning rise, reaching 35.5% for people in the age group of 20+ compared to 29.8% in 2014. In urban areas, this prevalence is even higher, soaring to 40.7%. Shockingly, half of the Indian population remains unaware that they are affected by hypertension, and the younger demographic is less aware compared to the older population. India has established a goal of achieving 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) among individuals aged 18 years and older by 2025, as part of its efforts to tackle this issue effectively. Achieving this goal requires a concerted effort to enhance awareness around hypertension, as it serves as a crucial facilitator for encouraging people to proactively manage this condition. Additionally, greater awareness will emphasize the significance of adopting effective management strategies.
