JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2023 | THE HEALTH

DUOPHARMA Biotech Berhad recorded a new milestone when it became the first pharmaceutical company to receive halal certification for an oncology product , awarded by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM ).

The product is currently approved as an adjuvant treatment for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer as well as a first-line treatment for postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer .

Produced at Duopharma Biotech ’ s Highly Potent Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ( HAPI ) facility located in Glenmarie , Shah Alam , the halal oncology product is supplied to both Government and private healthcare hospitals in Malaysia and has recently been approved for export to Brunei and Singapore .

Duopharma Biotech Group Managing Director , Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar , said : “ This milestone halal certification for an oncology product manufactured at Duopharma Biotech ’ s HAPI facility is in line with our environmental , social & governance ( ESG ) commitment , where one of our Key Focus Areas is Access to Medicine .

“ We are making continuous efforts to provide consumers and patients with access to much-needed medicines and therapies – assured safe for use and effective , high in quality , hygienic and halal from the start .

“ Our state-of-the-art HAPI facility plays a vital role in the fight against many diseases , enabling us to embrace innovation and technology to serve patient needs and expand access to specialised therapies .”

Duopharma Biotech ’ s cutting-edge HAPI facility is the first cancer medicine manufacturing facility in Malaysia , kickstarting the company ’ s foray into the oncology segment in 2019 . Currently , the facility produces generic treatments

Bukhari Akhir ( left ) from JAKIM and Wan Amir- Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid from Duopharma Biotech .

for breast cancer , lung cancer , colorectal cancer , cervical cancer and blood cancer . It is also fully equipped to produce medicines to treat hormone imbalance , as well as cardiovascular , central nervous system and musculoskeletal conditions . The facility has also received Good Manufacturing Practice ( GMP ) certification from the Malaysian National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency ( NPRA ).

Leonard Ariff said Duopharma Biotech had been working to elevate the position of Halal pharmaceuticals within the global pharmaceutical landscape , in collaboration with stakeholders across the world .

“ We aspire to produce a holistic range of safe , effective , quality Halal-certified products to enhance inclusivity in healthcare , enabling all patients to have choices in the therapies and medications they need for their well-being .

“ As the halal pharmaceutical leader in Malaysia , we embrace the halalan toyyiban concept , adding another layer of assurance beyond compliance with GMP standards ,” Leonard Ariff commented .

Since 1999 , Duopharma Biotech has pioneered a range of halal-certified health supplements , including CHAMPS , Flavettes , Proviton and Naturalle products , in compliance with MS 1500:2009 standards .

Dr . Joseph Saba , MD , Chief Executive Officer of Axios .

Roshel Jayasundera , Senior Director of Global Consulting , Axios .

AXIOS International , a global healthcare access company , recently celebrated its 25th anniversary by sharing some life-changing stories of thousands of patients who have benefitted from the company ’ s innovative access to healthcare and treatment programs over the last two decades in Malaysia .

Highlighting the need for more actions in patient management in the space beyond healthcare facilities , Axios put out a rallying call to its clients and partners to join hands in creating a shared impact for patients and to # NeverStandStill in transforming healthcare access across the region and beyond .

One of the patients enrolled in Axios ’ PSPs shared how access to innovative treatments gave them a new lease on life . Mat Ahmed ( a fictitious name to protect the patient ) said : “ In 2021 , I was told that my cancer cells were active again , and there was no suitable medicine for me anymore . “ It was devastating to hear until I learned there was a new cancer treatment that was being brought into Malaysia .

“ With the support of my doctor , Dr Yap Beng Khiong and Axios International , I was able to give the medicine a try , and I ’ m very happy that it has helped to shrink the cancer cells tremendously and I am progressing very well .”

Mat Ahmed is a survivor of kidney cancer and was able to access a new cancer drug that significantly improved his condition after being enrolled in an Axios PSP .

Dr Joseph Saba , CEO of Axios International , said : “ Change comes from a willingness to do things differently . Over the past 25 years , we continued to learn , adapt , and evolve and have seen an entire mindset shift around what access can be .

“ In this digital era , though the world is interconnected , healthcare systems are not . And this is where Axios while driving the transformational leap , will play a key role in making healthcare accessible for patients .

“ It is time we look at access to medicines and treatment on a regional and global level than being country specific . We must work together to create a shared impact to achieve a healthier world .”

Roshel Jayasundera , Senior Director of Global Consulting , Axios International , commented : “ At Axios , we will never stand still until we help as many patients as possible , to access quality care and treatment and to stay on their full treatment journey to achieve better health outcomes .

“ Access to medicines is not just about a product being listed in a market ; for us , it ’ s about getting treatment to the patient , helping them to fulfill their treatment and reach better health .”

FWD Takaful Berhad ( FWD Takaful ) announced the launch of FWD Medical Care +, a medical and health takaful online plan which provides comprehensive medical coverage in the event of hospitalisation or surgery due to sickness or accidental injuries . FWD Medical Care + comes with two plans , Medical Plus and Medical Pro , allowing customers to choose the plan that protects them best .

Wan Ahmad Najib Wan Ahmad Lotfi , FWD Takaful ’ s Chief Strategy and Digital Distribution Officer , said : “ With rising medical advancements and better treatments , getting medical help can be expensive . FWD Medical Care + is thus designed to emphasise convenience and flexibility in addition to affordability and accessibility to comprehensive medical coverage .

“ With this plan , we hope to help all Malaysians receive medical assistance at the time they need it most and allow them to focus on recovery while knowing that this plan will help shoulder the burden of those costly expenses .”

FWD Medical Care + offers customers the flexibility to choose between a full coverage or deductible option according to their financial capacity . With the deductible option , customers can save up to 45 per cent on their contributions . The plan provides customers with the following benefits :

• Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient benefits covering

cancer , heart attack and surgery , stroke , kidney failure , dengue , and physiotherapy treatment . To further support customers ’ recovery , the plan also provides mental health coverage , home nursing , in-house psychiatric treatment , and many more .

• Support that goes beyond medical as the plan pays an additional RM25,000 in a lump sum if the person covered dies due to an accident and RM5,000 compassionate benefit upon the death of the person covered .

• Restoration allows customers to restore their annual limit upon full utilisation in the same certificate year - applicable once per lifetime / certificate term only . – The Health