JULY , 2023 | THE HEALTH

Duopharma Biotech Berhad ' s recent annual general meeting ( AGM ) highlighted its progress in growing and transforming its business in line with market evolution .

The Group had ended FY2022 with its highest ever revenue of RM696.72 million , a nine per cent increase from RM638.18 million in FY2021 . In the same period , profit before tax ( PBT ) saw an increase of 2.25 per cent to RM84.85 million from RM82.98 million the previous year . The Group revenue comprised 94 per cent from local sales with the segment also accounting for 94.9 per cent of total gross profits .

Duopharma Biotech ’ s performance was boosted by higher sales generated from prescription pharmaceuticals under the ethical classic business and the public health sector . The company won a three-year contract worth RM375 million to supply Insugen to the Ministry of Health ’ s facilities from April 29 , 2022 to April 28 , 2025 .

Duopharma Biotech chairman Tan Sri Paduka Siti Sa ’ diah Sh Bakir commented : “ In 2022 , Duopharma Biotech continued to create value by offering access to effective

and affordable treatments for all consumers . We are also continuing our efforts to meet targeted needs among patients and consumers , such as halal pharmaceuticals and plant-based products .”

Group managing director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar added : “ In Duopharma Biotech ’ s business outlook , we are extremely encouraged by the healthcare reforms direction taken in the revised Budget 2023 , which includes a record 12 per cent .”

Meanwhile , Duopharma Biotech recently unveiled its new regional office in German Centre , Singapore reinforcing its commitment to the Singaporean market . The Singapore office has played a key role in charting Duopharma Biotech ’ s regional and international footprint , driving business activities and opportunities .

As the key growth hub , the new office reflects Duopharma Biotech ’ s increasing footprint thus strengthening its position in the region . “ Our key objective is ensuring that we meet the needs of patients and consumers by making our products available , accessible and affordable to

Duopharma Biotech ' s regional office launch .

a wide and diverse range of customers , including preventive medicine and early detection offerings .

“ And for the benefit of our Muslim patients and consumers , all products manufactured in our facilities are certified Halal by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM ). Duopharma Biotech is the first producer of the world ’ s first halalcertified cancer drug ,” commented Leonard Ariff .

Duopharma Biotech has a portfolio of 78 products sold in Singapore , comprising ethical and consumer healthcare products . The company is active in the market segments of private general practitioners , hospitals , retail , government , etc .

The launch was graced by the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore Datuk Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar . Duopharma Biotech was represented by Leonard Ariff and its Commercial CEO , Wan Amir Jeffrey Wan Abdul Majid .

GROWTH WATCH Month was inaugurated on June 8 to bring healthcare professionals and parents together to prevent stunting in children and adolescents so they may attain their full growth potential for a brighter future .

The Malaysian Paediatric Association ( MPA ) initiated this annual nationwide event under its IMFeD For Growth programme , which began in 2012 .

Growth Watch Month was jointly launched by the MPA and its partners , namely , the Malaysian Medical Association , Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists ’ Association , Malaysian Association of Kindergartens , and Malaysian Association of Registered Early Child Care and Development .

According to Prof Dr Lee Way Seah , Chairman of IMFeD For Growth Programme , Growth Watch Month is largely dedicated to identifying children and adolescents who are either stunted or at risk of stunting . Through relevant activities , the organisers will advise their parents on the appropriate nutritional interventions and support needed to get their children ’ s growth back on track .

By age five , children are supposed to attain 60 per cent of their adult height . Sadly , based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey ( NHMS ) 2022 , 21.2 per cent or one in five were stunted .

NHMS 2022 also reported that 6.8 per cent of our adolescents were stunted . These individuals were not experiencing the full benefit of growth spurts that would bring them another 15 to 20 per cent closer to potential adult height .

The short and long-term effects of stunting are clear . Stunted children tend to fall sick more often , miss learning opportunities , perform less well in school , and have lower self-esteem . They are also at risk of becoming stunted in adulthood - a condition associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases , decreased economic productivity , and lower lifetime-earning potential .

Key collaborators launching the IMFeD ’ s Growth Watch Month 2023 .

Prof Lee remarked : “ We need to nip stunting in the bud . It always starts with growth faltering . This is when children are not receiving enough nutrition so their growth rate literally ‘ slows ’ down .”

He stressed that optimal growth can only be achieved when certain fundamentals are present , namely , good feeding practices , optimal nutrition , adequate physical activity appropriate for age , and regular growth monitoring from young .

According to Dr Selva Kumar Sivapunniam , President of the Malaysian Paediatric Association ( MPA ), Growth Watch Month allows parents to focus on growth .

He said : “ We will work with all relevant stakeholders to conduct educational activities . These will include media write-ups and interviews .

Dr Selva remarked that another major highlight of Growth Watch Month would be the IMFeD For Growth Annual Screening Campaign from August to November 2023 in all IMFeD clinics listed on https :// clinics . imfed . my /. IMFeD has screened 127,000 children since 2018 .

COLORCON INC announced investing in a new manufacturing plant in Johor for its film coating products . Construction will begin in August 2023 , with completion expected by July 2025 .

This best-in-class facility will be the eighth in Colorcon ’ s global network ; and will produce high-quality and innovative film coating products for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers located in Southeast Asia region , including Australia and New Zealand

According to CPHI ’ s 2022 Global Survey , the ASEAN pharmaceutical manufacturing industry will grow by 12.8 per cent annually over 2021-2027 driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic ailments , growing geriatric population , high investment in research and development , and increasing per capita healthcare expenditure .

Simon Tasker , CEO , of Colorcon Inc . explains : “ This investment strengthens our strategy to position Colorcon facilities close to our customers and support the projected growth in the region . The new plant in Malaysia will reduce delivery lead times , improve our sustainability and strengthen our assurance of supply for our customers in the region ; while assuring quality and equivalency of product manufactured at any of our network of manufacturing locations around the world .”

Willem Hoogwater , Managing Director – NESEA explains : “ We want to make it easy for customers to work with Colorcon . The new plant represents a significant commitment to customer satisfaction , convenience , and the supply chain ’ s resilience in Southeast Asia . Investing in regional production will further enhance Colorcon ’ s ability to provide the high service level our customers expect , which we believe our customers deserve .”

This investment in local manufacturing will improve Colorcon ’ s flexibility in production scheduling , resulting in higher efficiency for customers and securing the supply chain to meet future industry needs . Colorcon has 11 manufacturing facilities , 25 technical service laboratories globally and more than 1400 employees exclusively dedicated to its customer base .