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Philippines Deliberates on “Generics Only” Bill
On February 11, the Philippines House of Representatives opened floor deliberations on a bill that would require health professionals to exclusively prescribe generic medicines to cut costs. The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 9502, or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicine Act of 2008. In 2008, the House ceded to the Senate’s hard-line position to remove the “generics only” provision of Republic Act 9502 with the agreement that the issue would be revisited in the future. In 1988, Philippines government passed the “Generics Act of 1988” which required all government health agencies and medical personnel to use generic terminology to describe all drugs and medication in the Philippines, and entrusted the Department of Health to ensure the quality of generic medication nationwide. It was met with significant pushback by the medical community in the Philippines, which questioned the government’s ability to successfully ensure the quality of medication.
In the new “Generics Only” bill, all medical, dental and veterinary practitioners would be included. The bill would also create a drug price regulation board that would set the maximum retail prices of medicines. The board would be able to investigate and resolve complaints about illegal activities under Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act. It would not only have subpoena power in resolving cases, but also be authorized to impose penalties on retailers, importers, manufacturers, traders, distributors and wholesalers. The board’s decisions would be appealable with the Supreme Court.
Updated Halal Regulations in ASEAN
In late January, Siti Aminah, the Head of Registration and Certification at Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Body (BPJPH) indicated that the Government of Indonesia is likely to continue with its implementation of the Halal law for pharmaceuticals. Previously in 2017, the Indonesian government had stated publicly that the implementation for pharmaceuticals in the Halal Law would be conducted in stages from 2019-2024; with BPJPH’s primary focus being the mandatory halal certification for food and beverages. Therefore, the Halal Law would be in operation by October 2019. The Council is meeting with the Prof. Ir. Sukoso, head of BPJPH under the Ministry of Religious Affairs during its Annual Business Mission to Indonesia from March 13-15 to seek confirmation and follow-up on this issue.
In Malaysia on February 8, the Halal Hub Division of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) announced that Jakim is expected to introduce halal certification for medical devices in the third quarter of this year. The certification was drafted by Jakim in coorporation with the Department of Standards Malaysia, and is currently in the final stage of public feedback. The certifications are expected to affect manufacturers of liquids used in dialysis machines and synthetic bones. Looking ahead, Malaysia will host the Malaysia Halal International Conference 2018 on March 26 - April 3, during which it will host the 9th Halal Certification Bodies Convention and the 2nd International Halal Capacity Development Programme.
In the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been underscoring its efforts towards developing halal as a premium brand through industry development. At the World Halal Assembly on January 18 and 19, Assistant Secretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman discussed the importance of harmonious halal certification and accreditation policies and standards for the Philippines to improve credibility both nationally and internationally. Halal products may increase consumer confidence and represent a growing market, even in countries that are not predominantly Muslim.
Dengue Vaccine Scandal Continues to Affect the Philippines
The dengue vaccine scandal in the Philippines continues to have ramifications for both Sanofi Pasteur and the Philippines’ Department of Health. The Philippines halted its mass dengue vaccination program in December 2017 after Sanofi released a warning that its vaccine, Dengvaxia, could cause more severe cases of dengue amongst people who had not previously contracted the infection. The Public Attorney’s Office will continue conducting autopsies on children who died of severe dengue after inoculation. The Department of Health requested the University of the Philippines- Philippines General Hospital (UP-PGH) to independently conduct autopsies. The UP-PGH has so far determined that three of the fourteen children examined postmortem died of dengue despite immunization. However, it cannot yet determine if Dengvaxia caused any of the children’s deaths.
On February 5, Sanofi Pasteur rejected an appeal from the Philippine government to refund about P1.8 billion for used Dengvaxia doses. It also refused to create an indemnification fund for vaccinated children in the event they develop serious or fatal dengue, citing a lack of safety or quality concerns. Sanofi maintains that its previous agreement to refund the Philippine government is a gesture of goodwill. In wake of the Dengvaxia scandal, the DOH is concerned that only about 60% of Filipino children are receiving their scheduled vaccines, rather than the standard 85%. Parents are increasingly refusing free government vaccines including polio and measles. Moving forward, the DOH will need to rebuild parents’ trust in not only government vaccination schemes, but other tried and tested schemes like deworming.
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‘Alarming rise in cancer cases in Brunei’: PJSC oncology specialist Borneo Bulletin Online 6th Feb 2018
Bowel, lung and prostate cancer are the most common cancers found in male patients, whereas cervix, breast and bowel cancers are the cancers most frequently diagnosed in female patients. Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer found in both genders. On average 600 individuals in Brunei Darussalam are diagnosed with cancer every year. The figure is alarming as the number of people being diagnosed with these types of non-communicable diseases is rising. A total of 353 deaths resulting from cancer were recorded in 2016.
Differently-abled children will get $150 per month allowance Borneo Bulletin Online 2nd Feb 2018
Children aged 15 and below with different abilities will receive an allowance of $150 per month with effect from January 1, 2018. The issuance of this allowance comes following the amendment to the Old Age and Disability Pensions Act for children aged 15 and below with different abilities announced by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in the monarch’s New Year 2018 titah.
600 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Brunei: health minister Xinhua 4th Feb 2018
About 600 people in Brunei are diagnosed with cancer every year on average, Brunei's Health Minister Haji Mohd Isham said in his message on World Cancer Day, which falls on Feb. 4. According Mohd Isham, the top three most common cancers amongst Brunei's men were bowel, lung and prostate cancers whereas breast, bowel and cervical cancers were the most common among women. "In 2016 alone, Brunei saw 353 deaths, which accounted for over 20 percent of deaths in the country," he noted. "Sadly, the mean age of people diagnosed with cancer are 50.1 years for breast cancer (females), 49.0 years for cervix cancer (females), 65.5 years for lung cancer and 60.1 years for colorectal cancer," he added.
Cambodia
‘Critical’ year for dengue, as cases jump by 130 percent and one death reported in Phnom Penh Phnom Penh Post 7th Feb 2018
Dengue fever cases have spiked by more than 130 percent in the first three weeks of 2018 as Cambodia enters an “epidemic” year, the likes of which haven’t been seen since 2012, when the mosquito-borne virus infected nearly 40,000 and left some 160 people dead. Dengue cases spike according to natural cycles, and health officials had predicted that another epidemic would strike the country in 2017 or this year, with this year’s number of cases already having already reached alarming rates, officials and experts said.
Indonesia
Papua Health Crisis Prompts International Scrutiny, Internal Review ReliefWeb 9th Feb 2018
Twin crises of measles and malnutrition have recently afflicted Indonesia’s easternmost province, Papua, inciting foreign and media scrutiny as well as internal review from the Indonesian government. Papua is an impoverished but mineral-rich province with a history of separatist struggle, which has been quashed for decades by the Indonesian military. This week, the nation’s health ministry declared both crises to be under control, but 72 people have already died in Asmat regency. In wake of the outbreaks, finance minister Sri Mulyani said that special autonomy funding for the province would be reevaluated. Per a 2001 law, the sometimes-contested provinces of Aceh, Papua, and West Papua were authorized to receive twenty years of special funding from the national budget. But Mulyani said the public health issues showed that the money was not being used well.
Indonesia declares Papua health crisis under control Reuters 6th Feb 2018
A measles and malnutrition crisis that killed dozens of children in Indonesia’s impoverished province of Papua over the past few months is under control, the health ministry said on Tuesday. At least 72 people, mostly children, died from complications of malnutrition and measles in Asmat, a remote area of the country’s easternmost province. The outbreak prompted health authorities to send in military paramedics and aid and declare an “extraordinary outbreak” on Jan. 15.
Southeast Asia's top drugmaker sets its sights on consumer market Nikkei Asian Review 5th Feb 2018
A glimpse of the future of health care that Kalbe Farma, Indonesia's largest pharmaceutical company, envisions can be seen in shopping malls, rather than hospitals. There, it is opening futuristic-looking outlets plastered with its trademark green logo. Staff offer consults free of charge and health checks for shoppers. Children can check out the play area while their mothers are examined. On one wall, clients see Kalbe's Kalcare health food products -- vitamins, snacks, energy drinks, powdered milk. The Kalcare line highlights the company's transition from drugmaker to consumer goods company. "We want to provide not only for patients but also for healthy people," said Vidjongtius, Kalbe's president, who goes by one name, in a recent interview with the Nikkei Asian Review. "Because in general, 85% of people are healthy, that is where the opportunity is."
Indonesia hosts FAO pilot projects for tackling zoonoses The Jakarta Post 8th Feb 2018
The Agriculture Ministry and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have designated four areas in Indonesia for pilot projects to contain the spread of zoonoses. The four places are Bengkalis in Riau, Ketapang in West Kalimantan, Boyolali in Central Java and Minahasa in North Sulawesi, said Andri Jatikusumah, a national technical advisor for One Health and Zoonosis Control of the FAO’s Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday. "We select areas based on the risks and the state of medical infrastructure and the commitment of regional administrations," he added, as reported by Antara.
Taiwan eyes cooperation with Indonesia in biomedical industry The Jakarta Post 7th Feb 2018
The Taiwanese government has expressed interest in working with Indonesia in the biomedical industry as the latter is home to several global biomedical manufacturers. Taiwan recorded US$16.73 billion in annual revenue from the biomedical industry in 2017, making it one of the largest industries in the country. The figure increased by 4.5 percent from the previous year. The Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology's deputy minister, Fong-Chin Su, said his country wanted to have a share of the market in Indonesia. “We have had discussions with the Indonesian government to cooperate in [biomedical industry] manufacturing [in Indonesia],” Su told The Jakarta Post in a media briefing recently.
Malaysia
Rabies outbreak in Sarawak under control, says deputy minister Malay Mail Online 6th Feb 2018
The rabies outbreak in Sarawak is under control although there was a death from rabies epidemic on Sunday. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the 59-year-old man was an old case in which he was bitten by a dog in November last year. “The rabies outbreak is still under control, I advise anyone infected with a dog bite to get immediate treatment at a government clinic or hospital. “If you are bitten by a dog, immediately wash the wound and go to the hospital for anti-rabies vaccination,” he said in a press conference after a get together with the Selangor Visitors Board Members and Health Clinic Advisory Panel here today.
Jakim to introduce halal certification for medical devices Malay Mail Online 9th Feb 2018
The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is expected to introduce halal certification for medical devices in the third quarter of this year. Its Halal Hub Division director, Datuk Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the certification, drafted together with the Department of Standards Malaysia, was now at the final stage of public feedback. “Once the halal certification is implemented, the recipients will include the synthetic bones produced by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with Sirim (Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia),” he told reporters at the pre-launch of the Malaysia Halal International Conference 2018 here yesterday.
Close to 60% of cancer cases detected in late stages, says health minister The Malaysian Insight 4th Feb 2018
Almost 60% of cancer cases in the country were detected at Stage III and IV due to the lack of public awareness on the importance of early diagnosis and screening, said Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam. He said the increase in the death toll due to cancer in the country was also caused by the failure of patients to seek early treatment, besides the fact that there were patients with a strong tendency to seek alternative treatment after diagnosis and would only return to hospital when the cancer was at already at an advanced stage. By doing so, the patients are actually reducing their chances of cure, he said.
Myanmar
Mobile app for midwives to help with deliveries The Myanmar Times 9th Feb 2018
The Ministry of Health and Sports on Wednesday launched an application that will be installed in tablet computers and distributed to midwives to aid them during emergencies while caring for pregnant mothers, during delivery or post-childbirth care. Union Health and Sports Minister Myint Htwe said the app, called Safe Delivery Mobile Application, could be a life-saver for both mother and child. “By using this app, we hope that midwives will be able to prevent loss of life of mother and child during life-and-death situation, which will require quick decision-making, such as postpartum hemorrhage or emergency situation for the newborn,” he said at the launch ceremony.
Myanmar woos Indian investors in bid to support healthcare sector The Myanmar Times 6th Feb 2018
With demand for private healthcare services on the rise, the sector has been identified as a priority sector for investments by the government of Myanmar. India, with its proximity to Myanmar and skills in pharmaceutical production and hospital management, is seen as a promising investor in the sector at a time when hospitals, medical equipment and services and skilled doctors and nurses are in short supply. “Indian investors stand to add much value to the local healthcare industry,” said Dr Kyaw Zin Thant, Director General of the Ministry of Health & Sports. “We have increased our public spending in the healthcare sectors by 10 times in 2017-18 compared to 2011-12 but the Myanmar healthcare system still faces many challenges such as the lack of skilled human resources, physical infrastructure, medicines and services and health financing.”
3MDG to give $5.13 million for nutrition, sexual health The Myanmar Times 2nd Feb 2018
The 3MDG will extend its agenda to support nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and rights in 2018, contributing US$5.13 million (K6.82 billion) for these two substantial new investments, the statement said. The new investment by 3MDG will focus on community-based nutrition such as social behavior change communication, establishing mother-to-mother support groups, and referrals. These will be especially implemented in Rakhine and Chin states, where there are nutrition challenges. The country’s Demographic Health Survey-DHS for 2015-16, showed 29 percent of children under five are stunted, 8pc are severely stunted, 7pc are wasted, and 19pc are underweight. Stunting is a big challenge due to rampant malnutrition among children.
Japan's elder care providers head to Myanmar Nikkei Asian Review 5th Feb 2018
As Southeast Asia begins to confront its creeping population aging problem, Japanese companies that provide nursing care see an opportunity to reach new markets -- and to bring much-needed caregivers to Japan. Since December, a consortium including Japanese nursing care providers Sakura Community Service and Egao Ichiban has been experimenting with home health care operations in Myanmar's commercial capital of Yangon with the support of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Japanese certified caregivers and others are there until February to evaluate the feasibility of a home nursing care business while training local staff.
Philippines
House Tackles 'Generic Medicines Only' Bill The Philippine Star 12th Feb 2018
The House of Representatives opened floor deliberations on a bill that would require health professionals to prescribe only generic medicines since these are more affordable than branded drugs. Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, a physician, authored Bill 6332, which the committee on trade and industry endorsed. It would amend Republic Act 9502, or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicine Act of 2008. Under the measure, all medical, dental and veterinary practitioners would be required to prescribe generic medicines only. The current law allows them to write both generic and brand names of drugs.
Fast Facts: DOH's Expanded Program on Immunization Rappler 9th Feb 2018
Vaccination programs in the Philippines are placed under the spotlight because of the ongoing Dengvaxia controversy. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and medical experts from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) on Tuesday, February 6, said that there was no reason to panic amid the alleged deaths of children who were vaccinated. Responding to reports received that there were now parents who rejected the administration of proven vaccines to their children, Duque appealed to groups to not fan massive hysteria among the public.
CA confirms Duque's appointment as health chief CNN 7th Feb 2018
The Commission on Appointments confirmed Francisco Duque III's appointment as Department of Health (DOH) Secretary. An emotional Duque faced the CA for the second time on Wednesday for his confirmation. Lawmakers grilled Duque for issues hounding the DOH, including the controversy on Dengvaxia, the measles outbreak in Davao City, and corruption allegations within the state health insurance company PhilHealth. "During my time, in 2005 to 2010 your honor, when our budget was like a measly ₱10, ₱11 billion, we had much better immunization coverage, we enjoyed consistent public trust and satisfaction ratings, availment and public awareness of our programs," Duque said.
IT solutions emerging as cure to health care woes Inquirer 5th Feb 2018
While there is a Philippine eHealth Strategic Framework and Program (PeHSFP) already in place, thanks to the efforts of the Departments of Health and Science and Technology, as the roadmap on maximizing information technology for the country’s health care industry, a Manila-based IT solutions company is calling on both public and private sector healthcare facilities to focus more on going digital, starting with their medical records, to provide better care to patients.
Philippines gripped by vaccine fears BBC News 3rd Feb 2018
Fears over a dengue vaccine in the Philippines have led to a big drop in immunisation rates for preventable diseases, officials have warned. Health Under-Secretary Enrique Domingo said many parents were refusing to get their children vaccinated for polio, chicken pox and tetanus. The fears centre on Dengvaxia, a drug developed by French company Sanofi. Sanofi and local experts say there is no evidence linking the deaths of 14 children to the drug.
Singapore
Zika antibody developed by Singapore company ready for human trials Channel NewsAsia 7th Feb 2018
A first-in-class monoclonal antibody for Zika, called Tyzivumab, is ready for human trials after only nine months of development, announced Tychan, a Singapore clinical-stage biotechnology company. Tyzivumab targets the surface-exposed envelope (E) protein of the virus to stop it from fusing with host cells and prevent viral replication. It has been proven safe and effective in animals, according to Tychan in a media release on Wednesday (Feb 7). The first patient dose will take place on Thursday, after getting the green light from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority. A total of 24 healthy volunteers will take part in Phase 1a of the clinical trial, said Tychan, adding that two more phases are likely to follow before the antibody is ready for patients’ use.
Consortium to look at using membrane technology in new fields The Straits Times 5th Feb 2018
The Republic's ability to create drinking water from the sea and used water using state-of-the-art membrane technology has been recognised internationally. But now the Government wants to push membranes even further. To spur research and adoption of membrane technology beyond the water sector, into areas ranging from biomedical to food and beverage, the National Research Foundation (NRF) launched a national consortium on Monday (Feb 5). The Singapore National Membrane Consortium (SG-MEM) will bring together universities, government agencies and companies - including multinationals (MNCs), start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - to come up with solutions for various sectors.
Hospital-to-Home programme paves smoother road to recovery for 8,000 patients TODAYonline 5th Feb 2018
About 8,000 patients with a high risk of repeated hospital admissions have been returning home smoothly post-discharge since April last year, under the Hospital-to-Home (H2H) programme. This was shared by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong at the inaugural Global Conference on Integrated Care on Friday (Feb 2). Mr Gan had highlighted that Singapore needs to “urgently transform” the way it delivers care in order to provide “appropriate and effective” care for an rapidly ageing population. One way, said the minister, is to achieve a “seamless integration” of care services for the patient across different settings, such as between acute, intermediate and long-term care; between acute and primary care; and between primary and community care.
Enlarged graphic warnings for tobacco products under new MOH proposal TODAYonline 12th Feb 2018
All tobacco products in Singapore may soon have enlarged graphic health warnings which could cover 75 per cent of the packaging, under a proposal by the Ministry of Health (MOH). In a press statement on Sunday (Feb 4), the MOH said it will be conducting a public consultation exercise on the Standardised Packaging Proposal for six weeks from Feb 5 to March 16. Under the proposal, tobacco packaging elements are set to be standardised — also known as plain packaging. Under plain packaging, there is generally strict regulation of the promotional aspects of tobacco packaging, including trademarks, logos, colour schemes and imagery.
Engineering the future of medicine The Straits Times 8th Feb 2018
Singapore is facing a greyer future, with its accompanying health woes. Three in five people will have contracted cancer by the time they reach 65, and diabetes is a serious concern. Health problems will put a tremendous strain on our healthcare system and infrastructure. This is where biomedical technology can make a significant impact. There is a slew of emerging technologies that are slowly but surely disrupting the way healthcare and medicine are being practised. For example, personalised or precision medicine is changing how patients are being diagnosed and treated, especially for diseases such as cancer. The idea is to administer the right drug to the right patient, at the right dosage and the right time.
Thailand
New health benefits, transplants on the way Bangkok Post 12th Feb 2018
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to approve payment for 11 selected health promotion, prevention and rehabilitation services. This will be on top of the regular percapita universal healthcare budget paid. The NHSO’s subcommittee overseeing the on-top healthcare budget allocation just finished shortlisting 11 out of 88 healthcare services, Phithakphon Bunyamalik, assistant permanent secretary for public health minister said Sunday. However, the NHSO needed to conduct economic feasibility studies of the selected services. The studies are expected to be complete this year.
WHO praises Thailand for kidney care Bangkok Post 2nd Feb 2018
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised Thailand for providing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) to kidney patients for free, saying its model could be adopted by other countries. Speaking after observing the National Health Security Office's CAPD service at at Phra Jen community yesterday, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was so inspired by what he had seen he wanted to pass the story of Thailand to other nations to improve the quality of life for kidney patients around the world.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s pharmacy industry sees rapid growth Vietnam Net 8th Feb 2018
Vietnam is now an attractive drug market with new policies designed to create a healthy, competitive market for manufacturers. BMI Research predicted that the growth rate in spending on drugs in Vietnam in the 2017-2021 period would be around 11.5 percent per annum. The figure is lower than the average growth rate of 15.6 percent in 2012-2016, but still higher than the 6-9 percent growth rates seen in pharma-emerging countries, and the 4-7 percent average growth rate in the world, according to IMS Market Prognosis.
Adjustment on medical expenses required VietnamNet 7th Feb 2018
Although inpatient room costs have increased sharply, medical quality remains stagnant, according to the latest report by Viet Nam Social Insurance (VSI). The data collected in the three provinces of Bac Ninh, An Giang and Ha Giang shows that among 52 surveyed inpatient rooms, only 13 had air conditioners, 11 had dehumidifiers and four had ventilators. Meanwhile, the cost for those appliances is included in the inpatient room charge for all rooms, even when they don’t have the appliances. Based on type of room, the average cost per inpatient day may range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dong.
Ministry of Health raises concerns over alcohol poisoning VietnamNet 5th Feb 2018
The Ministry of Health has raised concerns over the grave consequences of alcohol poisoning because of fake spirits during Tet holiday. At a recent conference on preventing alcohol poisoning during Tet Holiday, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said by 2025, 440 million litres of alcohol will be mass produced a year. Vietnam has over 328 major alcohol manufacturing facilities producing 360 million litres and 320 small facilities producing over 250 million litres each year. Fake spirits that contain methanol which can cause severe poisoning reactions were still being sold widely, especially during the Lunar New Year. "Alcohol poisoning cases only accounted for 1-2% of the annual food poisoning cases but the fatalities account for 7%. There was a case where several members of a family died after a party," Tien said.
Overcrowding strains HCMC hospitals, doctors Vietnam News 5th Feb 2018
Many hospitals in HCM City face chronic overcrowding as they provide service for local patients as well as those from other provinces. Patients from outside the city now account for some 60 per cent, according to HCM City’s Health Department. Statistics from the department showed that hospitals across the city have received 41.9 million people for check-ups and treatment in 2017, accounting for 25.8 per cent of the total number of patients nation-wide. Such specialised facilities as cardiovascular, oncology, obstetrics and paediatrics treatment attract the majority of patients.
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