In the context of geopolitical challenges, particularly from Poland's perspective, what does a resilient healthcare system entail? Furthermore, how can building such a system enhance patient safety?

First and foremost, we must consider our fundamental purpose: we act with patients in mind, aiming to ensure everyone receives medical assistance. The geopolitical situation is shifting like a kaleidoscope; a Europe that was once relatively safe has changed beyond recognition in just a few years. The pandemic starkly revealed that healthcare systems must confront social and economic challenges. Consequently, we must not forget the lessons it taught us about interpersonal cooperation, dialogue with authorities, and the necessity for Europe-wide collaboration to secure supply chains and production. It also highlighted the need for regulations that attract new solutions into the healthcare system.

Key challenges include budget deficits and an ageing population. While our diagnostic capabilities are improving, significant progress is still needed in areas like prevention. Addressing this is crucial for creating a comprehensive, resilient healthcare system capable of preventing and treating diseases, as well as providing post-treatment care. Expert initiatives like Hack4Health demonstrate that only strategic, multidisciplinary investment in health—underpinned by clear priorities and a shared goal—will enable Poland to transform its healthcare system into a driver of economic development and national security.

What can be done to attract companies to Europe, and especially to Poland?

Having been present in Poland for just over 30 years, we have seen an enormous pace of change. At MSD, we have invested significantly in Polish research and development in recent years, with our investment over the past decade totalling more than PLN 1.2 billion, which equates to over PLN 200 million annually. Factors that attract investment include a willingness to innovate, an appreciation for the value of innovation, and the organisation of research and development activities. For the past five years, we have held the status of a research and development centre, which is very important to us as it shows our achievements are appreciated. Furthermore, predictability and regulations tailored to our industry's needs are crucial. We also attach great importance to intellectual property and require assurance that the rule of law is respected to protect our patents.

Numerous factors influence a location's appeal, and Poland is attractive due to its size and geographical position. While everything is moving in the right direction, we must ensure certain risks are mitigated to secure continued investment. It is also vital to maintain the government's interest in healthcare and to ensure innovative companies are both appreciated and properly encouraged to develop their business. Another key factor, of course, is the workforce. Poles are known for their exceptional work ethic and high level of education, providing a vast pool of people with the skills and knowledge that an industry like ours needs.

Prevention is said to be the greatest investment in society. Given that MSD implements numerous projects in Poland that focus on prevention, what challenges are associated with these initiatives, and what impact can they have on society?

A key area of prevention is education, which involves making society aware of the value of such measures. Vaccinations are a particularly noteworthy example. Just over two years ago, Poland was one of the last countries in Europe to launch a free HPV vaccination programme. We are now seeing progress in the development of this programme, but we also face challenges related to vaccination coverage in specific groups and geographical areas. Fortunately, we can rely on educational activities and cooperation to address these issues.

We must also return to the issue of funding. In many countries, at least 4-5% of the healthcare budget is allocated to prevention to ensure its effectiveness, while Poland spends only about 2% on this area. Even doubling this amount would bring significant results. It is this foundational part of the expenditure pyramid that should receive the most initial investment, as this will achieve significant health benefits. We are trying to find a way to extend the groups covered by free vaccination to include further age groups, giving people who have not previously been vaccinated the opportunity to do so now.

What makes prevention programmes effective? We have the example of HPV.

In this particular case, the effectiveness stems from cooperation between the public and private sectors. Private partners share the same goal as the Ministry of Health and the government, which is to educate the public. When these activities are combined, the results make a tangible difference.

Another area of MSD's involvement is immunotherapy and innovative treatments. Could you tell us more about them and their impact on patients in Poland?

Immunotherapy is undoubtedly one of the greatest innovations in oncology in recent years. Although many other innovations are on the way, immunotherapy has radically changed the lives of cancer patients. Having been available for over a decade, we can see how much it has transformed the fight against cancer. In the case of some cancers, such as melanoma, we can now speak of a cure, as some patients have had no recurrence of the disease for over five years.

In oncology, clinical trials always begin with the later stages of a disease. We are now progressing to earlier stages of treatment, especially for diseases such as triple-negative breast cancer, as well as lung and kidney cancers. In these cases, we observe that if treatment begins earlier, patients experience milder symptoms and recover more quickly, allowing them to return to normal life. It is here that we have seen a huge increase in both the quality of life and the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

What are MSD's priorities in Poland for the coming years?

Our priorities remain unchanged. Firstly, oncology. We are conducting one of the largest clinical trial programmes for new therapies across a wide range of indications, with more to follow soon. Secondly, vaccinations. We already have a rich portfolio and plan to introduce new vaccines that will prevent a much broader range of diseases. Next, and of great importance to many people, is our focus on rare diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL). Given the seriousness of these conditions, we are committed to providing patients with access to innovative therapies. The final element, which is perhaps closest to my heart, is the development of young talent. We are working on various programmes in Poland, including a partnership with the Medical Research Agency on the MedConnect project, which offers development opportunities to interns. Our emphasis on developing young people is vital, particularly as statistics indicate that within the next five years, approximately 50% of employees in Poland will belong to Generation Z. We must face this demographic change and ensure we are prepared for this generation's needs. This means adapting our work methods and our cooperation with the social environment, ensuring that our activities, therapies, and way of working continue to meet the needs of patients, partners, and employees.