THE HEALTH | DECEMBER , 2022

SEVERAL healthcare groups listed on Bursa Malaysia performed better financially in terms of profits and revenue .

Apex Healthcare Berhad ’ s third quarter net profit surged 91.87 per cent to RM26.88 million from RM14.01 million a year earlier , helped by a significantly more substantial share of net-of-tax earnings from its associated company .

Its quarterly revenue climbed 9.96 per cent to RM232.08 million from RM211.06 million as demand for pharmaceuticals , medical devices and consumer healthcare products continued to increase in domestic and international markets .

“ In particular , the sale of respiratory medications , including the group ’ s cough and cold products , remained strong due to Covid-19 and influenza cases in the community ,” the group said in a statement .

Apex Healthcare ’ s latest quarterly net profit and revenue is a new high , beating its previously quarterly record net profit of RM23.49 million in the immediate preceding quarter ( 2QFY22 ) and record

revenue of RM215.9 million set in 1QFY22 .

The company said recovery in the Malaysian economy , the prevalence of Covid-19 infections and the rise in influenza cases in the community fuelled an unprecedented demand for pharmaceuticals , medical devices and consumer healthcare products during the nine months .

UMediC Group Bhd ’ s ( UMC ) net profit surged to RM2 million in the first quarter ( Q1 ) ended Oct 31 , 2022 from the previous quarter ’ s RM0.6 million . The medical device company ’ s revenue of RM11.3 million was 52.7 higher quarter-on-quarter ( QoQ ) growth , than the previous quarter ’ s RM7.4 million .

The company said in a statement the robust demand for medical devices and consumables drove these .

UMedic Executive Director and CEO Lim Taw Seong said the company had once again showcased its promising business track record in the face of multiple headwinds . “ Given the rise of health awareness worldwide , the demand for medical devices and consumables remained robust . We believe that the high level of demand will continue to be the main catalyst for our business growth in the coming years .

In the case of Duopharma Biotech Berhad , its net profit slipped 3.6 per cent year-on-year ( YoY ) to RM16.35 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30 , 2022 from RM16.96 million in Q3 2021 due to higher financing costs .

However , its revenue saw a marginal increase of three per cent YoY to RM177.07 million from RM171.84 million in the same period last year .

For the cumulative nine-month period , Duopharma Biotech ’ s net profit rose six per cent to RM52.95 million versus RM49.97 million in the corresponding period last year on the back of higher sales .

Revenue stood at RM544.76 million , up 10.3 per cent from RM493.73 million a year ago driven by higher demand from the public health sector and the ethical classic market .

Duopharma Biotech Group Managing Director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar said the company ’ s performance was further underpinned by positive growth momentum in Malaysia ’ s economy following the reopening of international borders , despite manufacturing margin pressure from a strong US dollar . – The Health

TENGKU Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan Al-Sultan Abdullah , the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ’ s eldest princess , was conferred an honorary degree of “ Doctor of the University ” by Heriot-Watt University Malaysia ( HWUM ) on Nov 17 , 2022 .

It was in appreciation of her work as an inspiring , purpose-driven leader dedicated to advancing mental health in Malaysia and worldwide .

The honorary degree was conferred during HWUM ’ s graduation ceremony , which was attended by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah . Also , this year Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan led a Malaysian team to the 23rd World Federation for Mental Health Congress in Westminster , London , United Kingdom . She is the international patron of World Mental Health Day 2020 .

She is also the founder and president of the Green Ribbon Group ( GRG ), a social company with the mission to educate people about mental health concerns and inspire them to take action by advocating for better care , raising money , and working together . – The Health

THE Ministry of Health Malaysia ( MoH ), through the National Pharmacy Regulatory Division ( NPRA ), launched the 7th annual # MedSafetyWeek campaign from Nov 7-13 aimed at encouraging health professionals , pharmaceutical companies and the public to report side effects suspected or likely to be caused by medicines and vaccines to NPRA . The global # MedSafetyWeek 2022 campaign was led by the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and initiated simultaneously by pharmaceutical regulatory bodies in 82 other countries .

Safety monitoring is critical

to ensure that medicines and vaccines on the market continue to be safe to use . Monitoring of side effect reports helps increase existing knowledge about the safety of medicines and vaccines , as well as helps detect new security risks . This way , appropriate steps , including any regulatory action , can be taken to protect other users from such risks in the future .

In Malaysia , all reports of side effects of medicines and vaccines are collected through passive monitoring using the NPRA Adverse Effect Reporting System . Health personnel and users are advised to report the drug ’ s and

NOVARTIS Malaysia is supporting a national health screening initiative via a community-based campaign addressing the growing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases ( NCDs ). The campaign aimed to improve the health awareness of Malaysians , especially those from underserved areas , and empower them to adopt a healthy lifestyle .

NCDs like cardiovascular diseases ( CVD ), diabetes , and cancer are the leading cause of death in Malaysia and straining the health system . This can be prevented with early interventions and health screening is an effective method . The three-month campaign vaccine ’ s side effects through the prepared channels .

Healthcare professionals can report side effects through the NPRA website ( www . npra . gov . my ) [ Health Professionals > Reporting ADR / AEFI ] or through the System Hospital Pharmacy Information ( Pharmacy Hospital Information System , PhIS ) for MoH facilities .

The form can also be printed to be filled out manually and sent by email to fv @ npra . gov . my or posted to NPRA . Alternatively , users who experience side effects may inform medical officers to report on their behalf . – The Health

is conducted with the support of ProtectHealth and several local non-governmental organisations ( NGOs ). The team travels to several key locations throughout Malaysia to conduct free health screening and talks from medical professionals on general health awareness and healthy eating .

The first nationwide screening at PPR Sri Stulang in Johor Bharu , gathered 294 people registered for the PeKa B40 screening , of which 35 per cent were eligible for screening . In the upcoming weeks , the crew will travel to the Southern , Central and Northern Region of Malaysia to engage with the underserved communities . – The Health