Bridging the Information Gap on Endometriosis

Bridging the Information Gap on Endometriosis

Dysmenorrhea or severe pain during menstrual bleeding is a common occurrence among women. Accordingly, it’s not unusual for them to go unchecked despite these bouts of strain, unknowingly missing a more serious underlying condition. Until issues with fertility come up, they may go unexamined and undiagnosed for a very long time.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue inside of the uterus (endometrium) grows around areas it shouldn’t. When endometrium spreads outside of the uterus, it still acts as it would inside of one– bleeding when prompted by hormones and blocking the entry of sperm when it extends around the fallopian tube, which is among the ways that endometriosis influences fertility (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021). It is around this time that women have themselves checked, and why endometriosis takes an average of 6.7 years to detect (Parasar, Ozcan and Terry, 2017).

To bridge the gap in information, MedEthix, Inc. in partnership with the Rizal Medical Center, conducted an Endometriosis Masterclass.

It was led by Philippine Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (PSOG) regional director, Dra. Nelinda Catherine Pangilinan, who is also faculty head and current chair of the Ultrasound Committee of Asia-Oceania Federation of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The masterclass was a course on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. With a partner firm’s ultrasound machines and the presence of PSOG members in the event, Dra. Pangilinan demonstrated techniques particular to the diagnosis of endometriosis. Some known methods of cure and regulation are surgically removing endometrium and taking drugs that serve as hormone-regulating substances.

MedEthix is set to conduct more endometriosis masterclasses with doctors and practitioners around the Philippines to stage continuing medical education and reduce the disparity between disease and knowledge.

MedEthix is ALL IN to Enhancing Access to Reproductive Health Medicines in the Philippines

MedEthix is ALL IN to Enhancing Access to Reproductive Health Medicines in the Philippines

MedEthix hosted its annual National Sales Conference at Lafayette Luxury Suites in Baguio City from April 22nd to 24th, 2024, under the banner: “ALL IN! Ignite the Fire Within.”

Ms. Monaliza Salian, President and CEO, fondly reflected on MedEthix’s inception and expressed pride in its achievements to date. Maintaining this momentum, the commitment to providing Filipinos with greater access to quality, affordable medicine remains unwavering.

Ms. Marivic Sugapong, COO, emphasized the organization’s enduring passion to introduce innovative molecule combinations, expand into strategic locations, and facilitate easier access to economical medicines, enhancing the comfort and well-being of more Filipinos.

Addressing the concerning rise in maternal mortality rates and other reproductive health issues, Mr. Norman Basa, CCO, expressed MedEthix’s aspiration to become the torch bearer for Reproductive Health in the Philippines, integrating it as a key pillar in its future plans.

Mr. Marlon Dela Merced, Group Business Unit Head for the Reproductive Health Business Units, alongside the Sales & Marketing team, embraced the challenge of broadening the distribution of reproductive health medicines by forging new partnerships and expanding market reach.

These initiatives signify MedEthix’s unwavering commitment to go “ALL IN” for the betterment of Filipinos.

Molnupiravir arrives in the Philippines, the first in Southeast Asia, through MedEthix, JackPharma

Molnupiravir arrives in the Philippines, the first in Southeast Asia, through MedEthix, JackPharma

The first shipment of Molnupiravir, an oral anti-viral treatment for mild COVID-19, arrived in the country through a partnership between MedEthix, one of the country’s major pharmaceutical importers and distributors, and JackPharma, a pharmaceutical distribution company. MedEthix is a member of the Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), the healthcare arm of the Ayala Group.

Present to receive the first shipment of Molnupiravir at the PAIR Cargo Terminal, Pasay City were Monaliza B. Salian, MedEthix Co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer; Meny Hernandez, JackPharma Inc. President; Ma. Victoria P. Sugapong, MedEthix Chief Operating Officer; Paolo F. Borromeo, AC Health President and CEO; Ruby P. Chiong AC Health Chief Finance Officer; Dr. Rizzy A. Alejandro, AC Health Chief Public Health Officer; Michael P. Narvaez, People’s Air Cargo & Warehousing Co. Inc. Chief Operating Officer and Norsalem Raymond M. Mama-o, OIC of PAIR CARGO Assessment Composite Division. The event was facilitated by QuickFlo Forwarders, Inc., the customs brokerage partner of MedEthix and JackPharma.

Molnupiravir, brand name Molnaflu, is being imported into the country via Compassionate Special Permits (CSPs) issued by the Philippine FDA to several hospitals in the country, including AC Health’s QualiMed hospitals, as well as 30 other hospitals all over the country. The newly-arrived Molnupiravir treatment courses are supplied by Aurobindo Pharma, an Indian pharma manufacturer licensed by Merck to supply this drug to low and middle-income countries. The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia to receive their supply of Molnupiravir and will be available to the public as of today.

The drug, developed by Emory University and Merck, was shown in clinical trials to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 50% for patients with mild COVID-19. Molnupiravir could potentially help reduce the burden of COVID-19 to the healthcare system by providing a much-needed option for outpatient treatment to prevent progression to severe disease and death.

Under a CSP, patients diagnosed with mild COVID-19 can be prescribed Molnupiravir, and can avail of the drug from a hospital granted a CSP. Molnupiravir comes in a 200mg capsule with a recommended regimen of 800mg (4 capsules) to be taken twice a day for 5 days or as prescribed by a physician. It will be available in a bottle of 40 capsules to cover the entire treatment regimen. “We are delighted that MedEthix and JackPharma have made it possible to bring Molnupiravir into the country. This drug is a game-changer, and we look forward to offering this life-saving medicine to our patients at QualiMed. Moreover, we are extremely proud that, through the efforts of MedEthix and JackPharma, Molnupiravir will be available nationwide for our countrymen at an affordable price. This is very much in line with the commitment of AC Health and the Ayala Group to support the country’s COVID-19 response efforts,” said Paolo Borromeo, AC Health President & CEO.

Earlier in the pandemic, AC Health, with the help of its partners, built and capacitated 8 RT-PCR labs for COVID-19 testing, and converted its 4 QualiMed hospitals in Sta Rosa, Laguna; San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; Tanauan, Batangas, and Iloilo City into COVID-19 referral hospitals. More recently, AC Health has become one of the largest Healthcare Service Providers of COVID-19 vaccines, and has administered close to 600,000 doses in over 25 vaccination sites across the country.

MedEthix, JackPharma to Bring Molnupiravir COVID-19 Treatment Pill to PH

MedEthix, JackPharma to Bring Molnupiravir COVID-19 Treatment Pill to PH

COVID-19 cases in the country exceeded 20,000 cases per day in the past weeks as reported by the Department of Health (DOH). Although the number has since been on the decline and the majority of these cases are mild amid vaccination efforts, concerns about health and safety and uncertainty about the future are still palpable.

MedEthix, a wholly owned Filipino company importing and distributing a wide range of healthcare products established in 2009, is bringing to the country Molnupiravir, the new oral antiviral pill for mild COVID-19 cases. MedEthix is the first importer in the country to secure, on behalf of the first four grantees, the Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) for Molnupiravir.

Meanwhile, JackPharma Inc., a pharmaceutical company founded in June 2015, will distribute the new drug to frontliners and other healthcare professionals.

Molnupiravir, developed by Emory University and MSD (Merck), will allow patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms to be treated early in an outpatient setting. MSD has inked voluntary in-licensing deals with Indian pharma manufacturers to supply Molnupiravir to low and middle-income countries, including the Philippines.

As the first local importer to be granted CSP as early as September, MedEthix is likely to be the first to distribute the new drug to Filipinos through its partnerships with hospitals.

“Living our principle to heal always and in all ways, we at MedEthix are actively looking for ways to help Filipinos have a better chance at fighting the virus. So, we took the chance to apply for a CSP once MSD announced promising initial clinical results for Molnupiravir. We are honored to bring this treatment drug to the country as early as November and we assure Filipinos that we are going to offer the same level of quality as with our other products and services,” shares Monaliza Salian, MedEthix co-founder, president and chief executive officer.

Molnupiravir: What we know so far

Molnupiravir works by introducing copying errors during viral RNA replication. The drug enters the COVID-19 virus and alters it to become harmless. Even if the virus replicates, it is no longer deadly.

Results of clinical trials sponsored by MSD licensee Aurobindo Pharma in India showed that 81 percent of the 1,200 mild cases taking Molnupiravir had negative RT-PCR results on the fifth day of treatment. This is compared to 17 percent of cases given only Standard of Care. All the patients included in the study were treated at home, which lessens the stress of finding a hospital that can accommodate COVID-19 patients.

Molnupiravir comes in a 200mg capsule with a recommended regimen of 800mg to be taken twice daily for 5 days or as prescribed by a physician. It comes in a bottle of 40 capsules, which is the entire dose.

“JackPharma is pleased to be part of the alliance as the first to bring Molnupiravir to our healthcare frontliners and the Filipino patients. With Molnupiravir, the treatment of COVID-19 has shifted — patients can now be treated at home without the need to go to the hospital,” shares Meny Hernandez, JackPharma president.

MedEthix and JackPharma will further discuss how Molnupiravir works in the treatment of mild COVID-19 during meetings and webinars with healthcare frontliners scheduled in November.

For any queries, please contact MedEthix at info@medethix.com.ph or +632 7373-7777, +63-969 0170380 and +63-945 4559829, and JackPharma at info@jackpharma.com or +63-917 1685225.

Partner with Us

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Become Our Distribution Partner

Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

Partner with Us

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Become Our Manufacturing Partner

Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

Product Inquiry

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.

Terms and Conditions