THE HEALTH | JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2022

THE GOVERNMENT has accepted the tender offer from Duopharma Marketing Sdn Bhd , ( DMktg ), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duopharma Biotech Berhad , to supply Insugen , a human insulin formulation , to all Ministry of Health ( MoH ) hospitals , district health offices and clinics .

The supply contract , worth RM375.17 million , will run for three years , from Dec 17 , 2021 , to Dec 16 , 2024 , the company said on Dec 17 .

“ With an estimated 3.9 million diabetics in Malaysia , DMktg intends to improve diabetes management in the country by supplying highquality , cost-effective biosimilar insulin ,” the company added . Of the 3.9 million , 420,000 patients are treated using human insulin in government hospitals and clinics .

The contract was in the group ’ s normal course of business since it is principally involved as a manufacturer , distributor , importer , and exporter of pharmaceutical products and medicines , according to the company .

It anticipates that the contract will boost the company ’ s future earnings and earnings per share in the current fiscal year ( FY ) as well as FY2022 , FY2023 , and FY2024 .

ON NOV 1 , 2021 , Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin unveiled the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025 . It is an industry-driven Blueprint championed by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council ( MHTC ) to guide industry stakeholders in providing the best Malaysian healthcare travel experience by 2025 .

The Ministry of Health ( MoH ) Secretary-General , Dato ’ Mohd Shafiq Abdullah and Director- General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah were also present .

The Blueprint aims to improve the current healthcare travel ecosystem , strengthen the Malaysia Healthcare brand , and broaden Malaysia ’ s healthcare offerings to more targeted markets . Key strategies of the Blueprint include :

• improving the quality of medical care ,

• digitising the patient journey ,

• continuing efforts to be a world-leading destination that provides affordable medical offerings to healthcare travellers , and

• elevating Malaysia ’ s offerings in hospitality alongside its ’

Meanwhile , Duopharma Biotech said in a statement on Dec 15 that it had launched the new Flavettes Nutriskincare range , expanding its consumer healthcare portfolio into the health and beauty segment through the established Flavettes brand .

Using the tagline “ Be Seri-Seri Inside Out ”, the new Flavettes Nutriskincare range is positioned as a complete skincare offering , with effective products in the easily absorbed effervescent format , emphasising the importance of the right nutrition in holistic beauty routines .

“ For Duopharma Biotech , we are using our expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing of effective nutritional supplements to offer a holistic skincare and beauty approach

position as a safe and trusted destination for both medical and leisure offerings .

As the agency in charge of the healthcare travel industry ’ s continued development , MHTC looks forward to fostering strong public-private partnerships , which have been an undeniable factor in Malaysia ’ s healthcare ’ s successful growth .

As the government continues to invest in this industry , the Council collaborates with key private-sector players such as healthcare , wellness , hospitality , tourism , transportation , and many others who have remained committed to furthering the industry ’ s growth .

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025 is a pertinent guideline for industry recovery in transitioning into endemicity , anchoring on public-private partnerships that have

from the inside out – making it an integral part of a good skin care regimen . The new Flavettes Nutriskincare range – developed with full scientific rigour like our other pharmaceutical grade products , offers an innovative triple-action formulation to improve overall skin health from the cellular level ,” said Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar , Group Managing Director , Duopharma Biotech .

“ In fulfilling our vision of “ Providing Smarter Solutions for a Healthier Life ” and our mission of being the “ Leading Healthcare Group Providing Quality and Innovative Solutions ”, Duopharma Biotech has continuously explored new areas and offerings in healthcare as an industry leader and champion of halal pharmaceuticals .

“ Through the new Flavettes Nutriskincare range , we are taking another bold step in the evolution and expansion of our Consumer Healthcare segment , we are moving into the real beauty segment to meet the growing demand .

“ Tapping on the market leadership of our Flavettes Effervescent range , we are using our knowledge of popular nutritional supplement formats to deliver the nutrients that are required for healthy , beautiful skin ,” he added .

been proven to support Malaysia Healthcare ’ s growth thus far . Malaysia ’ s Healthcare ’ s continual success will be evident through empowered industry players who are aligned to the Blueprint , leading their respective roles with excellence .

The Blueprint will be implemented in two main phases , with the healthcare travel experience being the primary focus . The Recovery Phase ( 2021-2022 ) will reinforce awareness on Malaysian Healthcare ’ s worldclass quality offerings , while the Rebuild Phase ( 2023-2025 ) will see industry players collectively working together to amplify awareness of Malaysian Healthcare ’ s niche offerings .

The Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Program will be established by MHTC to further strengthen Malaysia ’ s position as a leading healthcare destination and to develop Malaysia as a retirement living destination .

Malaysia healthcare honours media frontliners

On Dec 9 , 2021 , the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council ( MHTC ) held a virtual Medical Travel Media Awards Presentation Ceremony 2021 ( MTMA2021 ) to honour excellence in medical travel journalism .

The annual awards event , which Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin graced , honoured local and international media for their contributions in positioning Malaysia as a safe and trusted healthcare destination .

With entries from Australia , Bangladesh , Brunei , Cambodia , China , India , Indonesia , Italy , Philippines , Singapore , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United States , and Malaysia , this year ’ s MTMA received 420 submissions , a 20 per cent increase over 2020 .

CEO of MHTC Mohd Daud Mohd Arif said : “ Despite the global challenges posed on the healthcare travel industry , we are delighted that MTMA continues to grow with greater prominence .

“ It serves as a platform for us to honour media and influencers for their contributions and reward them for being Malaysia Healthcare brand advocates .

“ Media played an important role as our frontliners during the pandemic and continues to play an integral role in our post-pandemic recovery of the healthcare travel industry , putting us back on track through excellent journalism and storytelling .”

He said influencers have risen to prominence as healthcare brand advocates in recent years , leveraging their content and multi-platform reach to share their personal experiences with healthcare , particularly in Malaysia .

To encourage influencers , bloggers , and freelance journalists to participate in this international awards event , MTMA2021 introduced a new award category – Best Medical Travel Influencer of the Year .

Treatment of severe osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

The number of women susceptible to osteoporosis is expected to rise due to Malaysia ’ s ageing population , which is expected to reach 16.3 per cent by 2040 . Menopause is the most important risk factor for the condition .

Osteoporosis is a skeletal condition in which a person ’ s bone mass decreases , resulting in fragile bones . Fragility fractures become more likely , affecting their independence , quality of life and even survival .

Women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis now have a new treatment options thanks to the approval of EVENITY ® ( romosozumab ) in Malaysia .

“ Amgen is one of the leaders in bone health , and we are committed to bringing effective treatments to support patients suffering from osteoporosis ,” said Colin Chan , General Manager of Amgen Malaysia .

Dato ’ Dr Lee Joon Kiong , consultant orthopaedic surgeon and president of the Fragility Fracture Network of Malaysia ( FFNM ) and founding member of the Bone Health Alliance Malaysia ( BHAM ), said , “ We know that osteoporosis is a major cause of fractures among postmenopausal women . Those who already have an osteoporotic fracture are at a high risk of a subsequent fracture if they are not started on an appropriate treatment regimen .”

Prof Serge Ferrari , head of the Service of Bone Diseases , Geneva University Hospital , said : “ Patients who have had a prior osteoporotic fracture are more likely to sustain a second fracture if they do not receive proper care or effective intervention .”

In a 12-month trial with women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis , EVENITY increased bone mineral density in the lower spine ( 13.3 per cent ) and hip ( 6.9 per cent ) and reduced the risk of spine fractures 73 per cent and clinical fractures by 36 per cent . — The Health