For the fourth consecutive decade, Abbott has continued to deepen its roots in Taiwan, growing to include over 400 employees at eight sites across Taiwan. 

Although it is celebrating 40 years in Taiwan this year, Abbott has been helping people to live healthier and fuller lives worldwide for 135 years. The company’s portfolio of innovative and life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare with leading businesses and products focused on nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices, and branded generic medicines. 

The company is committed to addressing local health challenges and building a healthier Taiwan. “Life is like a marathon; the key to success is speed and endurance,” says Arnaud Renard, Abbott Taiwan Affiliate Managing Representative and General Manager of Nutrition. “Accompanying people in Taiwan to accomplish the marathon of life step by step has always been our mission.” 

Promoting Healthy Aging with Good Nutrition and Muscle Health 

One of the most significant health challenges Abbott focuses on is the rapidly aging population. Chiayi County, Taipei City, Nantou County, Yunlin County, and other cities in Taiwan have already become “super-aged societies,” where at least 20% of the population is over the age of 65. All of Taiwan is predicted  to become a super-aged society by 2025. 

Along with an aging population come a variety of healthcare challenges.  Muscle loss, chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, and malnutrition may all have a staggering impact on families and the future. “Many adults around the world are living longer, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are living healthier. Nutrition plays a key role in overall health and wellbeing through all stages of life, especially as we age,” says Arnaud.  

Abbott has been encouraging healthy aging by good nutrition, and good muscle health as the key response to the aging issue locally. Starting at age 40, adults can lose up to 8% of muscle mass per decade, and this rate of loss can double starting at age 70. Once diagnosed as sarcopenia, it may not only affect physical health, mobility, and quality of life, but also increase the risk of falls and disability.  

As a leader in nutrition science, research, and development, Abbott is dedicated to delivering nutrition products and education that meet the changing needs of people around the world. In addition to providing scientifically formulated nutrition products to support health, including strength and muscle, Abbott also continues to drive the discussion on how to further enhance muscle health education and management through international medical seminars. In Taiwan, Abbott also continues to partner with medical associations and organizations to raise public awareness and help people understand the state of muscle loss and take action promoting healthy aging. 

Creating a Diabetes Ecosystem with Glucose Monitoring Technology and Science-based Nutrition 

Diabetes and related complications are also healthcare challenges that strains Taiwan’s healthcare and National Health Insurance, with over two million patients receiving treatment for diabetes in Taiwan. Abbott introduced continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology to the Taiwan market last November. Through this breakthrough technology, patients can monitor glucose changes for up to 14 consecutive days without daily finger pricks, and they will be able to fully grasp the glucose change curves and values with the mobile app. 

In addition, Glucerna, Abbott’s diabetes-specific nutritional supplement, has been designated by more than 200 medical institutions in Taiwan for years. “We’re building an ecosystem around the patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to make it easier to manage the health condition and live with confidence,” says Arnaud. 

Providing Comprehensive Solutions to Cardiovascular Disease 

Cardiovascular disease ranks second among Taiwan’s top ten causes of death. From diagnostics to treatment, Abbott covers the continuum of cardiovascular care, pioneering comprehensive solutions to tackle cardiovascular conditions from every angle. 

In addition to arrhythmia-related medicine, Abbott is a global leader in a full range of innovative cardiovascular medical devices, providing comprehensive solutions across patients’ healthcare journeys.  

Last year, Abbott Taiwan initiated the “Love Beats from Your Heart” health education activity to further promote public health. This initiative encouraged the public to pay attention to their own heartbeat and the heartbeats of their loved ones to maintain good cardiovascular health. 

Proactive Community Involvement for Public Health 

Having watched Taiwan grow and change over the past 40 years, Abbott is dedicated to engaging with the people it serves. Since 2011, the company has expanded the scope of it’s Charity Day activities and has served more than 76 social welfare units with companion care and environmental cleaning activities.  

Even during the pandemic, Abbott launched an online care program for people in elderly care facilities via video chat, and donated a total of 32,500 cans of nutrition products to various groups in need. In 2022, Abbott also developed a teaching aid designed for children with developmental delays for early intervention and donated rapid test kits to safeguard children with developmental delays.  

In addition, Abbott Taiwan also sponsored marathons to celebrate what people can achieve with good health. Last year, they sponsored the qualifying race of Abbott World Marathon Majors in Taiwan, and teamed up with the employees, healthcare professionals, and patients for an “Abbott 100 Runner Team” in the race, encouraging people to live their lives to the fullest through exercise and good nutrition intake. 

Looking Forward to the Next 40 Years in Taiwan 

Abbott’s Sustainability Plan is to improve the lives of more than one-third of all people on Earth annually by 2030. To accomplish this, the company makes access and affordability core to new product innovations, creates new technologies and works to find new solutions for chronic disease, malnutrition, and infectious diseases, and works side-by-side with people, communities, partners, governments, and stakeholders to address health disparities and remove barriers to preventing people from living healthy lives. 

“Looking ahead, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that will continue improving health outcomes for people in Taiwan for the next 40 years and beyond,” says Arnaud.