Takeaways: Conversation with Novo Nordisk Pharma Japan President and Representative Director Kasper Bødker Mejlvang

On September 25th, I conducted an onstage conversation with Novo Nordisk Pharma Japan President and Representative Director Kasper Bødker Mejlvang at the French Chamber of Commerce in Japan. Below are my takeaways from the discussion.

1. Obesity is an eminently treatable disease. The Japanese medical community is coming around to this idea, but it is still work in progress. Multiple rounds of educating medical professionals is a priority.
2. Everyone has the right to the best possible medical solution available for any disease, including obesity.
3. Combatting obesity is a medical issue for many people and not just a matter of will power. Physiology and genetics also matter, and some people require extra help.
4. Japanese government regulators have a powerful incentive to improve health outcomes for the Japanese people, and sense of urgency to do so. Appealing to regulators in the best interests of the Japanese people’s well-being is persuasive and convincing.
5. Fighting obesity with a pharmaceutical solution alone is not enough, and requires a holistic approach involving multiple branches of medicine, psychotherapy, physical fitness coaching, and dietary guidance.
6. Co-morbidity associated with obesity, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, along with the economic implications of these diseases, has made combatting obesity a public healthcare priority for Japanese regulators.
7. In Japan, obesity is not recognized as a distinct medical specialty, and involves multiple medical specializations, which makes educating medical professionals about obesity medicine a particular challenge that requires persistence and patience.
8. In Japanese organizations, decision-making can be slow, but once consensus is reached, execution is fast. In French organizations, decision-making can be fast, but execution can often be slow, bumpy, and scattered without significant leadership intervention and guidance.
9. Nemawashi, meeting with people individually to come to consensus before a group meeting, is common practice in Japan and elsewhere. However, post-meeting nemawashi is also prudent to ensure that all involved have walked away with a common understanding and consistent action toward a common goal.