At EMD Serono Canada we aspire to help Canadians live longer, healthier lives. This drives our work and our relentless pursuit of innovation. We like to say that we are “with people at every step,” and our commitment to patients goes further than producing medicines to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility and growth disorders. Together with our employees we proudly support Canada’s patient community in our therapeutic areas, as well as the work of groups advocating for them.

Caregivers and COVID-19

That work extends to supporting the people that take care of our patients. The pandemic has affected the physical, emotional and financial health of people everywhere. It is a reminder that supporting Canadian caregivers is more important than ever. We must recognize the essential role caregivers play in the welfare of patients and in supporting our healthcare systems.

On April 6, we marked National Caregiver Day by highlighting the crucial work of the eight million caregivers in Canada and the unique challenges they face every day. Our Carer Well-Being Index study, released on the same day, explores the impact of COVID-19 on unpaid caregivers. The study, which surveyed 755 unpaid caregivers in Canada reveals some alarming trends. Among them, that female caregivers and those caring for people with ongoing cognitive conditions face an unprecedented impact on their emotional and mental health, finances and overall well-being.

Our work in shining a light on the role of caregivers in patient-centred healthcare forms part of EMD Serono’s global Embracing Carers™ Initiative. The initiative was created to raise awareness of the work undertaken by informal caregivers and help create collaborative solutions to broaden stakeholder engagement, shape policy, and engage healthcare systems.

Building a society that respects and supports caregivers

For more than 30 years, EMD Serono Canada has dedicated itself to responding to the unmet medical needs of our patients with breakthrough innovations. That commitment is unwavering, and our culture empowers every employee to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians who rely on our treatments. But it’s not just our patients who should be able to enjoy healthier, happier lives. We are determined that this extend to the people who care for them.

To that end, we are committed to creating positive change for this community by working closely with organizations like Carers Canada, a national coalition dedicated to increasing recognition and support for caregivers through collaborative engagement. Together, we can help make Canada a society that recognizes, respects, and
values the integral role caregivers play not only in supporting our health and social care systems, but also to our country’s economic well-being.

Find out more about our latest efforts, here.

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