Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 78% of deaths in Vietnam, with cardiovascular disease the leading cause of mortality, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Lipid disorders are a major cardiovascular risk factor, but many people remain unaware of their condition until complications occur.

Against this backdrop, Viatris Vietnam, part of global healthcare company Viatris Inc., and Long Chau Pharmacy & Vaccination System launched the “Community Partnership for Lipid Care” campaign in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 9.

The initiative combines professional education, community health activities and collaboration with medical associations to improve awareness, early detection and management of lipid disorders.

“At Viatris, we believe improving health outcomes requires more than medicines alone. It requires stronger health literacy, empowered healthcare professionals, and partnerships that bring care closer to communities,” said Radhika Bhalla, Head of Viatris Vietnam and Asia Alliance Markets.

“Together with Long Chau and our medical society partners, we are working to help address one of Vietnam’s most important public health challenges.”

Around 1,000 pharmacists across the Long Chau network will receive advanced training in risk identification, patient counseling and treatment adherence. The campaign is also expected to reach approximately three million people through 10 community health activities across five provinces and cities in Vietnam’s three regions.

Nguyen Do Quyen, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of FPT Retail and Chief Operating Officer of Long Chau Pharmacy & Vaccination System, said community pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in helping people prevent and manage chronic diseases.

“In addition to continuously strengthening the professional capabilities of our pharmacists, Long Chau is committed to expanding community health education through seminars, health counseling, and public education initiatives, empowering people to take a more proactive approach to their health, identify risk factors earlier, and manage chronic conditions more effectively,” Quyen said.

“Leveraging our network of more than 2,700 pharmacies across 34 provinces and cities, supported by over 22,000 healthcare professionals and modern digital platforms, we will continue to bring healthcare services and education closer to communities, strengthening our role as an extension of the healthcare system and contributing to better management of cardiovascular diseases and noncommunicable diseases across Vietnam.”

Viatris will collaborate with the Vietnam Health Education and Counseling Association and the Vietnam National Heart Association to organize community health education seminars through Long Chau’s digital platforms and counseling activities at pharmacies.

Following the launch, Viatris will work with the Center for Support and Continuing Education under the Vietnam Medical Association to train 150 Long Chau pharmacists. The program will cover developments in cardiovascular and metabolic disease management, patient counseling and treatment adherence, with medical experts sharing scientific evidence and practical experience.

The campaign marks five years of partnership between Viatris and Long Chau in community healthcare in Vietnam. Their previous initiatives include the “Hypertension Management: Screen Early – Treat Right – Live Well” program, implemented in 2025 with the Vietnam Association of Internal Medicine.

That program trained 940 Long Chau pharmacists and organized online educational seminars and health counseling activities at 23 locations across 11 provinces and cities, providing information on hypertension prevention and management.

About 1,000 pharmacists across the Long Chau pharmacy network will receive advanced training to strengthen their capabilities in patient counseling and treatment adherence support for lipid disorder management. Photo courtesy of Viatris Vietnam

Building on the partnership, the 2026 campaign aims to expand professional collaboration, strengthen the role of community pharmacists and improve access to information and support for preventing and managing NCDs.

Viatris Inc. is a global healthcare company with a portfolio spanning generics, value-added medicines, established brands and innovative medicines. Headquartered in the U.S., it has global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad.

In Vietnam, Viatris’s portfolio covers areas including cardiovascular disease, pain, central nervous system conditions and men’s health. The company is also pursuing localization through technology transfer of originator medicines.