Astellas Pharma is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on menopause in one of its therapeutic areas. Menopausal symptoms vary and are not always recognized, which can lead to women suffering from these symptoms being misdiagnosed and mistreated. Menopausal symptoms have a comprehensive impact on women’s lives and their ability to work, which has also been acknowledged in the government programme. As part of its societal advocacy work and health awareness efforts, Astellas Pharma sought to map out the treatment and situation of menopause across all Nordic countries.
Strategy & actions
In 2023, together with Nordic communication agencies, Astellas Pharma compiled a white paper on the treatment of menopause, the current state, gaps, and ongoing research in the Nordic countries. In 2024, the work was intended to continue to advance the issue in a concrete way. A roundtable discussion was held in each Nordic country, with the aim of bringing together experts and those with lived experience to discuss the impact of menopause on women’s ability to function in the workplace. Additionally, the aim was to keep the societal conversation on the topic visible by participating in SuomiAreena with a Terve!Areena panel discussion.
Ahjo organized a roundtable discussion at two separate tables, with participants including a chairperson, a catalyst, an expert by experience, a labor market representative, and a physician. At the beginning of the discussion, a message regarding the progress of the government programme’s provision on menopause and work ability was delivered by Mia Laiho, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Social Affairs and Health Committee. Ahjo compiled a report from the discussion, documenting the ideas and concrete suggestions that emerged.
The discussion continued at SuomiAreena on the same theme. The panel discussion included a politician, an occupational health physician, a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, and an expert by experience.
Results
Through collaboration, significant progress was made in raising awareness of menopause in the workplace at a societal level by producing a white paper for advocacy efforts and fostering public discussion by bringing together various stakeholders. The roundtable discussions and the resulting report highlighted diverse perspectives, valuable expertise, and concrete, innovative ideas. The panel discussion successfully provided new information and generated widespread interest, attracting around a thousand viewers — which is an important indicator of successful societal impact.
“In April 2024, Ahjo organized a roundtable discussion that brought together experts and those with lived experience to discuss the impact of menopause on women’s ability to function in the workplace. The report compiled from the discussion provided us with new, valuable perspectives. In June, the conversation continued at SuomiAreena with a Terve!Areena panel discussion, featuring a politician, two doctors, and an expert by experience. Ahjo’s team handled everything professionally, and the highly successful panel discussion sparked widespread interest. A heartfelt thank you to Ahjo for the collaboration!“
– Jouni Helin, Market Access and External Affairs Manager, Astellas Pharma