China should promote closer collaboration between hospitals and retail pharmacies to better manage chronic diseases and reduce disease burdens, industry experts said.

The comments come at a time when China is ramping up efforts to combat chronic diseases, transitioning from primarily treating diseases to maintaining overall health.

According to a key reform resolution recently adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, China will implement a health-first strategy, which experts said has highlighted disease prevention and health management.

The country will improve the public health system, promoting public participation as well as collaboration and integration between hospitals and disease prevention and control institutions, said the resolution. It will also boost capacities for disease monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, epidemiological investigation, testing and inspection, emergency response and medical treatment, it said.

"China has made evident progress in the prevention and control of chronic diseases. However, in our aging society, a heavy burden from chronic diseases, the expansive patient population, the complex presence of two or more diseases in a patient, and the scarcity of long-term, standardized disease management continue to pose grave challenges in the field," said Wang Zhanshan, secretary-general of the health management branch of the Chinese Medical Association.

"In light of the immense demand for chronic disease management, it is imperative that we innovate and take practical steps to capitalize on the respective strengths of hospitals, community health centers, and retail pharmacies to establish a joint system for chronic disease management," Wang added.

Based on close collaboration between hospitals and retail pharmacies, this system should facilitate comprehensive and end-to-end mechanisms for full life-cycle disease management, to forge a new model for preventing and controlling major chronic diseases that is feasible, sustainable and replicable, he added.

Sun Ningling, a senior specialist of cardiovascular medicine at Peking University People's Hospital in Beijing, said the high prevalence of chronic diseases, as well as low patient compliance due to lack of disease awareness and symptoms, pose significant management challenges to disease management, resulting in increased disease burden.

Improving patient awareness and compliance is crucial, as is collaboration between hospital doctors and pharmacists for more effective care of chronic diseases, she said.

"Since the symptoms of high blood pressure are not that obvious, patients often reduce or stop medications on their own. It is also difficult for doctors to monitor and follow up on the blood pressure (readings) of every patient, making it difficult to adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner according to the patient's condition," she said.

A model that integrates in-hospital and out-of-hospital disease management based on close collaboration between doctors working in hospitals and pharmacists working at retail pharmacies is therefore essential for effective chronic disease care, she added.

Jianzhijia Health Pharmacy Chain Group, a pioneer in setting up chronic disease centers that offer free weekly screenings for patients, has seen the number of tests and patient records during the first half of this year double compared to the full year 2023.

It has been collaborating with manufacturers and hospitals to strengthen disease management for customers, investing millions of yuan annually in free testing, said Lan Bo, president of the company.

However, more efforts are needed, experts said.

Ruan Hongxian, chairman of pharmacy chain YXT Health, said it is imperative that every pharmacy be staffed with licensed pharmacists who can offer expert advice on medication and comprehensive disease management consultations.

Additionally, pharmacies should enhance their cooperation with neighboring medical facilities. With the support and guidance of hospital specialists, pharmacies can deliver more effective follow-up care to patients, ensuring they adhere to standardized disease management protocols, maintain regular checkups and slow the advancement of their conditions as much as possible, he said.

Liu Qian, general manager of AstraZeneca China's all-channel business unit, said standardization is the first step in the large-scale promotion of chronic disease management in retail pharmacies. It is also important to utilize technologies like artificial intelligence to reduce human efforts, enhance standardization and realize remote guidance, including providing guidance over patients' diets and exercise, he said.

Besides, participation of pharmaceutical companies will facilitate the progress, and AstraZeneca is ready to further engage in this, he said.