SURVEY: GP-2025/10: Astra Zeneca

I am pleased that we can provide you with detailed feedback on necessary reforms (measures), particularly with regard to the Healthy Heart Act (GHG) you mentioned:

• Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in Germany, accounting for one-third of all deaths in 2021. At approximately 57 billion euros, diseases of the circulatory system caused the highest costs for our healthcare system in 2020. Under ideal preventive conditions, approximately 90 percent of all cardiovascular diseases could be avoided.
• Through targeted political measures towards Prevention and early detection and quality-assured care can not only mitigate the dramatic health and economic impacts, but also significantly improve the lives and quality of life of millions of affected people. the aging population and the prevalence of risk factors such as type 2 diabetes (11%), chronic kidney disease/CKD (10%) and hypertension (30%) comes the Secondary prevention and early detection a key role.
• Therefore, it is It is crucial to continue to advocate politically for the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors. A law to reduce the burden of disease caused by cardiovascular diseases and to strengthen cardiovascular health in Germany by improving early detection and treatment of risks, high-risk diseases and cardiovascular diseases and strengthening medical prevention is necessary.
• The The focus should be on improving early detection and structured care We believe that the further development of health check-ups through the introduction of age and risk-based extended services in the area of cardiovascular diseases is sensible. Introduction of a Check-Up 50 with a focus on cardiometabolic diseases a useful addition to the existing "Check-Up 35" to detect the increased risk of disease in this group at an early stage. Relevant risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, CKD, hypertension, and dyslipidemia should be taken into account. Existing early detection programs such as the Check-up-35 should be expanded and regularly developed furtherThe basis for this should be current evidence.
• The development of a DMP for insured persons requiring treatment with a high risk of cardiovascular disease ensures that a Structured follow-up treatment for patients with risk factors such as hypertension or chronic kidney disease after preventive examinations such as the Check-Up 35 or Check-Up 50.
• We believe that opening up existing DMPs such as the DMP Type 2 Diabetes or the DMP Chronic Heart Failure to patients with an existing risk of developing a DMP disease is sensible in order to ensure early, structured treatment.
• Health insurance companies and treating physicians should be required to offer structured follow-up treatment in disease management programs (DMPs) to patients with a chronic illness or at risk of developing a chronic illness. These programs should be regularly updated to reflect the current state of scientific knowledge and consistently aligned with medical guidelines such as the National Care Guidelines (NVL). The need for implementing new DMPs must also be regularly reviewed.

I have also sent you our Positions on many other important topics (quality assured care, Medical Research Act - clinical studies, etc.)