What’s it worth? The value of innovation in APAC

Disease has a profound impact on people's lives, affecting their health, independence and quality of life. Its effects also extend beyond the individual, increasing pressures on families and caregivers and placing growing demands on healthcare systems and economies. 

The scale of that burden is why health should be treated as an investment in APAC's future. 

Global evidence shows that every USD 1 allocated to healthcare can generate up to USD 4 in economic benefit.1

The urgency is clear

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly 75% of all deaths worldwide. The heaviest burden falls on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where 86% of premature NCD deaths occur.2 

APAC is disproportionately affected. NCDs account for nearly 90% of deaths in the WHO Western Pacific region and 55% in South-East Asia region, a burden compounded by rapid ageing.3-5

As this demographic shift accelerates, demand for healthcare will continue to rise.

It impacts society as a whole

Poor health doesn’t stop with the individual. When people are unwell, earning capacity declines, productivity falls, and society bears the knock-on effects. In APAC, 9–12% of national GDP could be lost to ill health in the workforce.6

With roughly 1 in 3 working age adults in Asia living with multiple long-term conditions, protecting working-age health is critical to strengthening individual, economic, and social resilience, and to unlocking the region’s long-term potential.7,8

In many APAC societies, people remain in the workforce for longer and older family members play an important caregiving role. Illnesses can reduce independence and limit their ability to contribute, shifting pressure back onto working-age individuals.5 

Protecting healthy ageing is critical to sustain intergenerational support in APAC.

So, what's it worth?

Innovation is how we bend the curve.

In APAC, that value is already taking shape.

1. Meeting rising health demand

A global study found that 73% of the increase in mean age at death across 26 countries between 2006 and 2016 was driven by pharmaceutical innovation.13 By 2040, investment in health and innovation could save 60 million lives and add $12 trillion to the global economy while reducing hospitalisations to support more sustainable healthcare systems.1

For APAC, a region facing rising demand and rapid ageing, this points to what earlier innovation and investment could deliver.

2. Strengthening socioeconomic development

Improvements in population health have driven up to one-third of economic growth in developed economies over the past century.1 Returns are even stronger in LMICs, where every USD 1 invested in NCD prevention and control could return up to USD 7 within a decade, contributing to an estimated USD 230 billion by 2030.14

3. Supporting the region’s long-term strategic growth

Beyond delivering socioeconomic value through improving healthy life years, biopharma innovation brings wider economic returns through capital inflows, high-value jobs, and stronger innovation capability.

Globally, the pharmaceutical industry contributes around USD 2.3 trillion to GDP and supports nearly 75 million jobs, reflecting its role not only as a health enabler but as a major driver of economic growth and high-value employment.15 That value becomes real-world gains for people, society, and the economy, across APAC. 

Evidence shows that strengthening health system efficiency and capacity, alongside sustained investment, can deliver improved health outcomes while driving productivity and economic growth.16

Investing in health innovation is an investment in the strength and growth of society itself.

We must act now

Over 12,700 new medicines are in development globally, with at least one APAC site included in 55% of global clinical trials.17,18 APAC is well-positioned to unlock the full value of health innovation for better health, economy, and society.