Anita Chan’s fascination with public health was sparked by an unconventional source. “As a child in Hong Kong, I was captivated by Quincy, M.E., an American TV series about a crime-solving medical examiner,” she says. “Believe it or not, that’s what really made me fall in love with medicine.”

Today, as the Hong Kong general manager of the global healthcare giant Viatris, Chan oversees the overall Hong Kong and Macau operation of a diverse portfolio of pharmaceuticals, prioritising evidence-based medicines supported by extensive research. Her goal is to guarantee that her fellow Hongkongers always have access to the safest, most effective medications available.

It’s a natural fit for her—a culmination of decades dedicated to serving her community and championing public health. She also appeared in a launch campaign for a liver support supplement, in a bid to raise the public’s awareness of liver protection.

Chan’s journey began as a pharmacist in a small town in the Midwestern US and continued to evolve at St James' Settlement in Hong Kong, where she continued her work on the front lines as a pharmacy manager for the charity.

“Coming back to Hong Kong really opened my eyes to the complexities of public health,” she says. “It was then I realised just how much there was to learn. So I went for my master’s degree in public health—to really get to grips with the theories, the real-world impact of policies and just how much all of this touches the lives around us. That’s when my passion for public health truly became a part of my identity.”

Her dedication and quest for knowledge aligns perfectly with the mission of Viatris, who aims to empower people worldwide, to live healthier at every stage of life. Viatris’ unwavering belief is that better access to healthcare leads to better health, leveraging best-in-class manufacturing and scientific expertise, the company brings quality medicine to patients when and where they need them.

Her day-to-day work is a blend of strategy and service; she engages with patient and medical groups to meet community health needs, leads educational initiatives on disease and treatment options, and partners with government bodies to align company operations with community progress. She views her role as cutting through the online noise to provide clear, accurate health information for patients.

“Each product we introduce to Hong Kong undergoes rigorous evaluation by academics and institutions, involving studies and detailed analysis that take years. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously.”

With non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease on the rise globally, Chan is a firm believer in the power of prevention. For her, that begins with a simple yet crucial step: a conversation between a patient and a trusted health professional, leading to the right actions and remedies to safeguard health before it’s compromised.

“In Chinese, we have a saying: we must look after ourselves first in order to help others. That’s why I always say public health starts with the individual.”

From a television show that captured her imagination to a driving force at a multi-national company, Chan has established herself as an inspirational figure in Hong Kong’s public health landscape. It’s an inspiring reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys start in the most ordinary of places.