NOVEMBER-DECEMBER , 2021 | THE HEALTH

Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar

Group Managing Director , Duopharma Biotech Berhad

The Group Managing Director of Duopharma Biotech , Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar , said access to quality and affordable healthcare would be vital in 2022 due to the economic impact that Covid-19 has had on large segments of the population .

“ This is especially important for non-communicable , chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension . As we gradually transition to the ‘ endemic ’ phase of the pandemic , it is also vital to ensure that vaccine access is universal to reduce the risk of new variants , said Leonard Ariff .

“ The need to administer ‘ booster ’ shots is also essential to maintain the protection of the vaccines .”

He said some domestic regulations will need to be amended to adapt to the new way of engaging / transacting . One of them will be the Poisons Act when ordering Controlled Items that cannot be vaccines .

“ Cost of implementing digitisation can be financially taxing to healthcare players and customers . With possible waning effects of the Covid-19 vaccines , there is still a cautious opening of the economy , but we have to be prepared for sudden lockdowns again .”

He said cash flow management was the key challenge for every industry during the pandemic . Sufficient cash flow is required to sustain the business . Duopharma Biotech did experience a challenging cash position . Still , the organisation quickly changed its mode to “ cost-saving ”, where operational expenses were reduced significantly ( 15 per cent ) to ensure the sustainability of the business .

“ Supply of raw materials and packaging materials during the period of the pandemic was one of the critical challenges that we faced . Hence , Duopharma Biotech has always evaluated this risk and holds three to six months ’ worth of buffer stocks to ensure no disruption of medication supply to the

“ The first is the public has to be mindful always about the risk of getting infected and spreading it to others . Avoid crowded or poorly-ventilated areas . They should get tested if they develop any symptoms .

“ The second one is the high-risk group should get their third dose of vaccine . If they do that , even if they are infected , they will not get a severe disease requiring hospitalisation ,” he explained .

When asked about the prospects for Malaysian healthcare in 2022 , he said : “ Covid-19 is unknown territory for all of us . No one can say for sure what will happen next . Healthcare will continue to be under severe stress in 2022 .

“ It needs sufficient resources in terms

healthcare facilities .

“ We have also learnt that relying on sole suppliers was a risky action . Hence Duopharma Biotech has begun to evaluate alternate suppliers for raw materials and packaging materials to ensure continuity of supply .”

He said agility was a crucial factor in ensuring the company could change direction swiftly and adapt to the new normal to ensure these changes were managed without impacting the business .

Engaging with customers , too , has evolved rapidly from traditional face-to-face meetings to visual contacts via emails , telephone and video calls , and text chats . There is an urgent need to embark on digital initiatives in the healthcare sector .

Then there is the issue of market volatility . There was a spike in specific ranges of products ( i . e . immune-boosting products ) but a sharp drop in others ( i . e . prescription medicines ). There was also

of equipment , space and staffing . It will have to manage the tail end of the Covid-19 pandemic and at the same time catch-up with the non-Covid-19 services neglected for the past 12 to 18 months .”

On Oct 31 , Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah congratulated Dr Suresh and his team for the recognition at the Global Health Awards 2020 .

“ Heartiest congratulations to Dr Suresh Kumar and Dr Shaiful Azman Zakaria ( Head of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Department ), Sungai Buloh Hospital and the whole Covid-19 team for the recognition at the Global Health Awards 2020 . The nation thanks you for unwavering dedication and sacrifices ,” he wrote . — The Health cost escalation of critical consumables ( i . e . gloves , masks , filters , single-use bags etc .) and difficulty securing these consumables .

He said the lack of support and disruption in the global value chain reduced access to expertise to troubleshoot machinery , supply of critical spare parts , raw and packaging material from overseas . There was also increased Cost of Goods Sold ( COGS ) due to various impacts in logistics , material scarcity , and businesses closing down .

Competition will intensify

He said the impact on its international business was due to travel restrictions and volatile freight costs .

Delay / challenges with technology transfer activity due to border closure – Highly potent Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ( HAPI ) technology transfer activity was severely impacted .

“ Consumers are getting more conscious of the availability of halal-certified pharmaceutical products ( e . g . consumer healthcare products / halal vaccine ) in the market . Halal certified pharmaceutical products are considered more hygienic and higher quality , thus giving consumers peace of mind .

“ The pandemic and ‘ work from home / work from anywhere ’ culture that arose in response to this has also taught us the importance of embracing digital innovations in healthcare and corporate culture .”

On challenges in 2022 , Leonard Ariff said disruption in the global supply chain continues due to volatility of freight availability and charges . The volatility of the market is expected to continue .

He said the competition would intensify with many niche technology companies coming to the forefront ( i . e ., digitalisation , diagnostics , precision medicine , gene and cell therapy , etc .). The industry is now moving towards patient-centric value creation , driving the advancement of digitally enabled , on-demand and seamlessly connected clinician-patient interactions

“ Telemedicine is expected to be a focus area . However , there is a lack of local expertise and differentiation between market players . Halal pharmaceutical is still regarded as an emerging sector in most of the world , and there are various interpretations of what defines halal pharmaceutical . There are still questions about whether it is needed or not .

“ As part of the Halal Pharmaceutical standard development committee under the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries ( SMIIC ) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) standard , we are pleased that a SMIIC / OIC Halal Pharmaceuticals has been drafted and is under active deliberation .”

Leonard Ariff was asked about the opportunities available in Malaysia for halal vaccines and his plans to increase their halal vaccine share further .

He replied :” To be a local halal vaccine hub for the production of halal vaccines and leverage on the fact that the majority of the population were Muslims . There is also increased demand for halal vaccines .”

The importance of innovation and technology

Duopharma Biotech believes it is essential to move with the times and cater to the increasing needs of the consumers and patients who are getting more educated and demand better and more cost-effective health solutions – be it in treatment or prevention .

“ With the help of technology , there will