MARCH-APRIL , 2022 | THE HEALTH

DESPITE HIGHER costs , Duopharma Biotech Berhad ( Duopharma Biotech ) saw its revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 , rising by 8.5 per cent to RM145.44 million .

In the quarter , profit after tax was RM15.72 million , resulting in earnings per share of 1.67 sen .

For the full year , net profit rose 12.07 per cent to RM65.68 million , while revenue increased 12.16 per cent to RM639.18 million .

Duopharma Biotech has declared a second interim dividend of 1.8 sen per share for the fiscal year ending Dec 31 , 2021 ( 2020 : second interim dividend of six sen per share ) and resolved that the company ’ s Dividend Reinvestment Plan will apply to the second interim dividend .

Compared to the previous year , the second interim dividend was reduced to free up more cash for existing business expansion and working capital purposes as part of the company ’ s de-gearing strategy .

IN LINE with this year ’ s International Women ’ s Day theme , Break The Bias , Cancer Research Malaysia joined the mission to assist women to make an informed decision about their health through the development of ARiCa - Asian Genetic Risk Calculator .

This new tool allows women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to see if they are at risk of inheriting a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene . These tumour suppressor genes help keep breast , ovarian , and other types of cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way .

Statistics show that one out of every 25 patients have a faulty BRCA gene when it comes to breast cancer . Breast cancer patients were previously only offered a test if they were diagnosed at a young age or had close relatives who had breast or ovarian cancer .

However , because age and family history alone does not accurately predict the likelihood of carrying a faulty gene , many gene carriers are not offered the genetic test , missing out on life-saving treatments and prevention strategies for patients and close relatives .

A number of mutation

According to Duopharma Biotech Group Managing Director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar , several developments will boost the company ’ s earnings in the coming quarters . This includes a RM375 million tender accepted by the Government to supply Insugen-Insulin Recombinant Human Formulations to the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) for three years through December 2024 .

In addition , the contract to supply pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products to

government hospitals and clinics has been extended for 12 months until the end of end-2022 .

Following the announcement in Budget 2022 and the gazette of the Finance Act 2021 that the period for additional reinvestment allowance will be extended to the year of assessment 2024 , the company could save more than RM10 million upon the completion of some qualifying assets by 2024 .

“ Despite the operational and cost challenges , we are confident of the company ’ s long-term prospects as we believe the demand for healthcare and pharmaceutical products will continue to grow . This is evident in the Government ’ s increased allocation for the healthcare sector in Budget 2022 ,” Leonard Ariff said .

prediction tools have been developed to address this problem , but the majority of them are designed for European women and are less accurate for Asian women .

As a result , Asian patients and their family members miss out on the opportunity of being aware of their genetic risk status , thereby losing the possibility for cancer prevention and accurate treatment selection .

To tackle this challenge , Cancer Research Malaysia collaborated with the University of Cambridge , Universiti Malaya , Subang Jaya Medical Centre , the University of Nottingham , the Genome Institute of Singapore , National University of Singapore , National University Hospital , KK Women ’ s and Children ’ s Hospital , Tan Tock Seng Hospital , National Cancer Centre Singapore , Singapore

General Hospital , and Changi General Hospital , to analyse BRCA1 and BRCA2 in more than 8,000 breast cancer patients from Malaysia and Singapore .

The results were then used to develop a tool that predicts whether a woman is a faulty BRCA carrier .

Professor Datin Paduka Dr Teo Soo Hwang , OBE , Chief Scientific Officer at Cancer Research Malaysia , who led the study , said : “ Using criteria such as age and the presence of a family history of breast cancer , we estimate that each year , nearly 4,000 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Malaysia would need genetic counselling and testing , but they often don ’ t consider a genetic test because most assume that they are unlikely to have inherited a faulty gene .

“ With ARiCa , we can now give each woman their likelihood of being a BRCA carrier so that they can be empowered to make informed choices about their health and healthcare practitioners can provide more accurate treatment plans for their patients .” — The Health

AIA Group launches AIA One Billion

AIA Group Limited ( AIA ) announced the launch of AIA One Billion on Feb 22 , 2022 , with the goal of engaging a billion people to live Healthier , Longer , and Better Lives by 2030 .

As Asia ’ s largest life and health insurer , AIA is leading a movement to improve people ’ s health and wellness while also assisting in creating a more sustainable future in Asia .

Stuart A Spencer , AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer , said : “ For more than a century , AIA has strived to make a significant , positive impact for our customers and communities .

“ Launching AIA One Billion extends our purpose of helping people live healthier , longer , better lives far beyond our immediate customer base .

“ AIA One Billion underscores AIA ’ s commitment to engage , educate and inspire communities across Asia to improve physical , mental and environmental wellness while championing financial inclusion ,” he said .

Ben Ng , CEO of AIA Malaysia , echoed the same sentiments : “ The past two years have truly changed how we view our health and wellness . There has never been a more crucial time than now where our purpose of empowering a healthier and better quality of life for all Malaysians can truly make an impact .

“ AIA Malaysia is proud to be a part of this movement . We are deeply committed to doing our part in touching One Billion lives in the next eight years and continuing to make significant strides in helping fellow Malaysians achieve their health and wealth aspirations .”

UNICEF ’ s medical equipment to Sabah hospitals

UNICEF Malaysia delivered medical equipment worth RM627,948 to Obstetrics and Gynaecology ( O & G ) wards in five hospitals across Sabah , including hard-to-reach areas .

The aid was handed over to Tawau Hospital , Lahad Datu Hospital , Keningau Hospital , Duchess of Kent Hospital , and the Sabah Women and Children Hospital in Likas . It was planned and coordinated with the Medical Development Division of the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) and the Sabah State Health Department .

Dr Rashed Mustafa Sarwar , UNICEF Representative to Malaysia and Special Representative to Brunei Darussalam , said : “ We hope the medical equipment delivered will complement efforts by the MoH to provide adequate medical care for children and mothers in Malaysia .

“ Together with the government , UNICEF works for every child in Malaysia , from Perlis to Sabah , of all ethnic groups and races , citizens and non-citizens , migrants and undocumented , and the most marginalised children found in all these groups – children with disabilities .”

In addition to the five hospitals in Sabah , UNICEF will also deliver medical equipment to O & G wards in Hospital Ampang and Hospital Serdang , in the Klang Valley valued at RM377,624 .