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News & Updates<br />
Preventative vaccine for cervical<br />
cancer can save lives<br />
MSD recently hosted a round-table to address the rising<br />
issue of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the<br />
increasing risk of cervical cancer in the Middle East and<br />
North Africa region. The event, attended by experts<br />
from across the region highlighted the importance of<br />
early detection and regular screening for cervical<br />
cancer. The experts also called for the need for<br />
governments to increase awareness campaigns around<br />
disease prevention and screening including the<br />
recommendation of the HPV vaccine.<br />
Today, cervical cancer is the most common HPV-related<br />
disease and nearly all cases of cervical cancer can be<br />
attributed to HPV infection. As per the World Health<br />
Organization, in 2012, it was estimated that cervical<br />
cancer accounted for 528,000 new cases around the<br />
world. It was also estimated that there were 266,000<br />
deaths from cervical cancer, with more than 85 per cent<br />
of these deaths occurring in less-developed regions.<br />
As of 2017, there were more than 1.8 million women in<br />
the UAE aged 15 years or older who may be at risk of<br />
developing cervical cancer. As per the Information<br />
Centre on HPV and Cancer (ICO), current estimates<br />
indicate that every year, 93 women in the country are<br />
diagnosed with cervical cancer, with 28 deaths every<br />
year. Cervical cancer is a cancer that can be prevented,<br />
yet this type of cancer is considered the third most<br />
frequent cancer among women in the UAE[9] and the<br />
second largest cancer killer among women in this<br />
region.<br />
Dr. Muna Tahlak, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecology<br />
& CEO of Latifa Hospital, Dubai, UAE, speaking at the<br />
event said: “We recommend women to have the HPV<br />
vaccine which is the primary prevention of cervical<br />
cancer. Early detection through screening can prevent<br />
the HPV virus developing into cancer, with Pap smear<br />
screening being most successful test to detect cervical<br />
cancer at an early stage. Yet, we are seeing that most<br />
cases of cervical cancer in the UAE are presenting for<br />
medical care in the latter stages of the disease, when<br />
chances of survival are slim and so the need for<br />
increasing education around preventative care has<br />
never been greater.”<br />
Kalbe inaugurates drugs ingredients<br />
and biological products factory<br />
Indonesia's PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (Kalbe) through its<br />
subsidiary, PT Kalbio Global Medika (KGM) inaugurated<br />
a drugs ingredients and biological products factory that<br />
is located in Cikarang. The drug ingredients and<br />
biological product factory has obtained the certificate of<br />
Good Active Drug Ingredients Manufacturing Methods<br />
(CPBBAOB) and Good Drug Manufacturing Methods<br />
(CPOB) from the Food and Drugs Monitoring Body<br />
(BPOM) and its products are ready to be marketed by the<br />
end of 2018.<br />
“The inauguration of this drug ingredients and<br />
biological product factory is the form of Kalbe's<br />
commitment to take initiative and encourage the<br />
creation of integrated pharmaceutical industry,<br />
specifically in the form of ingredients independence,<br />
mastery of technology, and an increase of exports," said<br />
Vidjongtius, President Director of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk.<br />
“We hope Kalbe can provide larger contributions for the<br />
availability of quality drugs and healthcare products in<br />
order to improve the health of the Indonesian people,"<br />
Vidjongtius continued.<br />
The total early investment of KGM, PT Kalbio Global<br />
Medika (KGM) is at Rp. 500 billion to construct the<br />
production facility, and allocation of Rp. 200 billion for<br />
research and development, as well as technological<br />
transfer from China and South Korea.<br />
KGM will manufacture Erythropoietin (EPO) product<br />
that is crucial in dialysis and cancer medication. The<br />
product is geared to fulfill the domestic needs and is<br />
planned to be exported for the ASEAN market and a<br />
number of other countries. Aside of Erythropoietin, KGM<br />
will also produce Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor<br />
(GCSF), a medication to increase the production of<br />
granulocyte and product with a new molecule,<br />
Efepoietin (Long Acting EPO) which shall function to<br />
stimulate the forming of the red blood cells. Furthermore<br />
it is planned to produce insulin and a number of MAb<br />
(Monoclonal Antibody) products for cancer medication.<br />
“In the operations of the drug ingredients and biological<br />
product factory, Kalbe is also preparing manpower who<br />
are competent in the fields of biotechnology and genetic<br />
engineering that is needed to develop and produce the<br />
biological product through a collaboration with I3L<br />
(Indonesia International Institute for Life Science),"<br />
Vidjongtius continued.<br />
PT Kalbio Global Medika has the facility that produces<br />
biological drugs (biosimilar and bio-better) that is<br />
located at Delta Silicon Cikarang Industrial Estate on an<br />
area of 11,000 sqm. The factory has the advantage of<br />
most updated technological facilities, quality system<br />
and international-standard facilities, as well as its<br />
eco-friendliness.<br />
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