As the COVID situation in the country is improving, biopharmaceutical leader Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. highlights the importance of providing continuous care for patients that are diagnosed with lymphoma.

“Now that restrictions are easing up, we have the opportunity to take initiative and engage in activities that will allow us to extend the much-needed assistance that lymphoma patients need,” said Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Philippines. “The situation may constantly change, but our commitment towards educating Filipinos about this disease and improving patient access to treatment and quality of lymphoma care remains the same.”

Knowing the enemy disease

Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in the world. According to a study by the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), over 600,000 new cases of lymphoma were detected worldwide in 2020, making it the 11th most common cancer in the world.[1] In the Philippines, there were over 4,000 new patients that were diagnosed with this disease in 2020.[2]

It begins when an infection-fighting white blood cell (or lymphocyte) mutates, divides and grows out of control, compromising the immune system and lodging itself onto lymph nodes or "kulani" and causing them to swell. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that involves the presence of a specific type of lymphocyte called Reed-Sternberg cells. Hodgkin lymphoma cases comprise one-fifth of all lymphoma cases in the world, making it a rare cancer.[3]

Like any other cancers, detecting the disease in its early stages is essential, as survival rates drop from 90% to 70% in patients with advanced stages of the disease. Hodgkin lymphoma shares common symptoms with other diseases such as fever, chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. This, coupled with the fact that it is a relatively rare disease, makes it difficult for people to identify it in its early stages.

Diagnosing lymphoma entails several tests to confirm its type. One of which is through a bone marrow biopsy. Another one is through a series of panel tests called immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing, specifically the one that tests for the CD30 lymphoma marker. However, IHC is not a standard test in the country due to its cost and lack of availability in hospitals.

Plights of a lymphoma patient

Jheric Delos Angeles, lymphoma survivor-advocate and co-founder of Lymphoma Philippines, shared some of the struggles faced by lymphoma patients. These challenges include access to accurate diagnosis and new medicines, financial means, communication gaps with healthcare providers, cultural stigma, and discrimination.

Jheric Delos Angeles, Co-Founder of Lymphoma Philippines, was diagnosed with Stage IV Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) in May 2015.  

Having battled lymphoma himself, he co-founded Lymphoma Philippines, a patient support group that aims to help patients and their loved ones who are diagnosed with the disease, and to raise awareness about lymphoma.

Apart from these barriers, Delos Angeles added, “Every individual requires a strong support system. In fact, Lymphoma Philippines was created to provide emotional support and empowerment, as well as to bridge the information gap.” 

Takeda Philippines stands with all the lymphoma patients and recognizes the struggles they face, and the many dreams and hopes they are yet to fulfill. Hence, Takeda Philippines takes on the mission to create approaches that would help patients overcome the barriers and shares multiple ways on how the company shows continuity of care for lymphoma patients.

Takeda Philippines invests in various programs and solutions to address affordability barriers and to improve treatment access among patients. First, the company is guided by a tier-pricing approach where medicines are priced in a manner that reflects the holistic value they offer to patients, the healthcare system, and society. Secondly, Takeda Philippines has the Patient Assistance Program (PAP). This makes use of innovative and collaborative financing models to increase access to treatment and medicines for the recommended duration. Eligible patients may get in touch with their doctors for information on how to enroll in the program.

“Aside from this, educating ourselves about the nature of the disease – its causes, symptoms, manifestations – is one of the first steps to take, which we can easily do by researching about lymphoma and attending talks facilitated by medical experts,” shared Dr. Joy Pabellon, Medical Affairs Lead at Takeda Philippines.

Representatives from Takeda Philippines and Care PH doing the symbolic gesture of Takeda’s Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma campaign. (From left to right) Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager, Takeda Philippines; Igor Gomes, Cluster Head and General Manager, VMAPS; Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, Founder of Care PH; and Mr. Jojo Flores, Program and Administrative Officer of Care PH

Recently, Takeda Philippines provided a Php 1,000,000 grant to Cancer Care Registry and Research Philippines Foundation (CARE PH) to expand cancer research efforts in the country. This initiative is geared towards providing a more comprehensive range of support for Filipino cancer patients. The grant will allow CARE PH to train encoders and lead additional site-specific cancer registries. It will be used in contributing to the research and development of newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to diagnose cancers earlier, while also ensuring that the best possible treatments are accessible and available to patients.

Furthermore, Takeda Philippines aims to sustain its efforts to provide patients access to the CD30 lymphoma marker test through a donation to the PHAPCares Foundation. The PHAPCares Foundation is the social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) mandated to help improve the health and lives of Filipinos disadvantaged by sickness, poverty, conflicts and disasters.

This year, the PHAPCares Foundation is partnering with one of the country's largest tertiary public referral hospitals for the CD30 Testing for Lymphoma Awareness and Prevention Program (CLAP) to facilitate early screening, diagnosis and confirmation of the disease. The CLAP initiative will provide CD30 testing for free to indigent Filipinos who would not have otherwise been tested.

“We are committed to outsmarting cancer so that more patients can benefit from—and have access to—life-transforming medicines. Through our cancer research and development, we are building up on our deep understanding of cancer to develop new ways to approach the disease,” said Villanueva.

She added, “In all our efforts, we seek not only to increase awareness about lymphoma, but also to heed the call of the government to implement the spirit of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and for the medical, patient and healthcare community, to come together to work towards a cancer-free Philippines.”

To know more about Takeda and its initiatives, visit www.takeda.com. 

First and second booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine under the government’s “Resbakuna sa Botika” are now available at 19 Watsons stores nationwide.

The “Resbakuna sa Botika” program was first rolled out in selected clinics and pharmacies in Metro Manila and later on expanded to other areas nationwide as part of the national government’s efforts to further expand the national vaccination program.

Initially, the Department of Health (DOH) and Local Government Units provided immunizers to conduct the booster vaccination in Watsons. With the help of the DOH, more than 36 Watsons Pharmacists have undergone training and are now certified COVID-19 Immunizing Pharmacists.

“Watsons has administered over 12,000 boosters for COVID-19 since Resbakuna started in January. We are continuously working with DOH and different LGUs to find out where we can further expand our Resbakuna sa Botika sites.",  said Joseph Soliman, Business Development Controller at Watsons.

The boosters are free and the public can walk in at any of the participating Watsons stores offering the vaccines or register and book a schedule at https://www.vaccination.watsons.com.ph/resbakuna/. The vaccination days at Watsons are usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

"Resbakuna sa Botika is a very good partnership between Watsons and the Philippine government to help make Covid-19 boosters accessible to many Filipinos. We continue to put resources behind RESBAKUNA as we believe that protecting the public health will be crucial to our economic recovery.” said Soliman. "In the event that the government will stop the Covid-19 vaccination program, Watsons will be ready to serve the public with commercially available Covid-19 vaccines."

As an incentive for shoppers who will get their booster shots at Watsons, the leading health, wellness and beauty retailer is giving Php50 off every minimum purchase of Php500 to each person who gets their vaccine at Watsons.

Watsons continues to expand its health products and services from vitamins, supplements, hygiene products and even FDA approved antigen kits.

For the complete list of Watsons stores where the COVID-19 boosters are available for free, go to https://www.vaccination.watsons.com.ph/resbakuna/.

It's hard to lose someone to any sickness especially cancer.  I lost my mom to it that's why I  know how devastating that feels.  Cancer comes as a surprise and I still wish that there will be a cure for every cancer there is.  I'm glad to recently stumble upon a biopharmaceutical leader, Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. (“Takeda Philippines”) who has launched the “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma” initiative to answer the call of the government’s National Integrated Cancer Control Act for medical stakeholders to come together and work towards a cancer-free Philippines.

The initiative is led by Takeda Philippines and is supported by various organizations including the Philippine Cancer Society, Health Futures Inc., Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Philippine Society of Pathologists, Carewell Community Foundation and Lymphoma Philippines. “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma” aims to raise awareness about lymphoma and improve access to lymphoma treatments in the Philippines by providing free testing to patients, partnering with relevant organizations and institutions, and sponsoring talks and seminars to educate the public about the disease.

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in the world. According to a study by the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), over 600,000 new cases of lymphoma were detected worldwide in 2020, making it the 11th most common cancer in the world.^[1] In the Philippines, there were over 4,000 new patients diagnosed with lymphoma, making it the among the 30 most common cancers in the country.^[2] This might seem like a small fraction of the population, but if left untreated, lymphoma can be deadly for the people who suffer from it, with nearly 300,000 deaths resulting from the disease in 2020 alone,^[3] 2,500 of which were recorded in the Philippines.^[4]

The pandemic has also put those with lymphoma at risk, as patients with the disease were identified to be more susceptible to COVID-19 according to a study published in the World Journal of Virology.^[5] And with the fear of being infected by COVID-19 still looming, it has been more difficult for people experiencing symptoms of the disease to go out and undergo testing for lymphoma.

And like any other cancer, detecting the disease in its early stages is essential, as survival rates drop from 90% to 70% in patients with advanced stages of the disease. Even then, relapse is common in advanced stages of the disease, with one-quarter to one-third of patients not achieving long-term remission with standard frontline therapy. However, detecting it is not an easy feat.

Hodgkin lymphoma shares common symptoms with other diseases such as fever, chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. This, coupled with the fact that it is a relatively rare disease, makes it difficult for people to identify it in its early stages. The most telling signs are painless lumps or swelling of lymph nodes or “kulani” in the neck, armpit or groin region, but even then, the only way to get properly diagnosed is through biopsy or CD30 testing, which is not accessible to everyone. It’s also due to its rarity that there is a lack of public awareness about Hodgkin lymphoma, with treatment options and relevant information not readily available to patients.

Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma

As part of this initiative, Takeda Philippines has ongoing partnerships with several organizations to improve access to testing and raise awareness about the disease. One of its recently concluded partnerships is with the Philippine Cancer Society, where Takeda Philippines provided support to patients through free CD30 testing to help detect Hodgkin lymphoma. To date, the partnership has provided free testing to over 60 patients all over the country.

Aside from making testing more accessible, Takeda has also partnered with the Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Philippine Society of Pathology, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion and Health Futures, Inc. for various webinars and talks on Hodgkin lymphoma for medical professionals and patients alike.

“Rare cancers like lymphoma continue to be a problem due to lack of awareness and information available to the public, which is why patients continue to search for treatment options and support in managing their disease. With the ‘Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma’ initiative, we hope to reinforce our commitment in providing access to innovative medicines to lymphoma patients and to address gaps in the areas of screening, diagnosis, treatment and patient support,” said Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Philippines.

Lymphoma Philippines, one of the partner organizations of Takeda Philippines, shared their support for the newly-launched initiative. “We at Lymphoma Philippines try our best to help every patient that needs support in any way we can, whether by providing information, improving access to treatment or supporting patient advocacy. By joining the ‘Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma’ initiative, we hope to make the general public more aware about lymphoma, the issues that patients face and what they can do to help,” said Jheric Delos Angeles, co-founder of Lymphoma Philippines.

Given the rarity of their condition, Hodgkin lymphoma patients may feel isolated as they are less likely to meet other people with the same form of their disease. With the “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma” campaign, Takeda and its partners hope to raise public awareness, inform the public about treatment options and make information about the disease more readily available.

If you or someone you know has been experiencing any symptoms associated with Hodgkin lymphoma, please consult with your local oncologist or hematologist.

For more information on lymphoma and Takeda’s initiatives, visit www.takeda.com .

SANTé International continues to advocate the transformative power of all things natural in improving the lives of countless people as it opens the first quarter of 2022 introducing Dimples Romana as the newest endorser of its Retail and Wholesale division’s flagship brand, Santé Barley Max. 

An all-natural, nutritional powerhouse, and worry-free superfood supplement that is trusted by millions of families and individuals, Santé Barley Max is barley grass harvested at a young age and produced in powder and capsule forms. It uses barley grass powder that is certified organic by BioGro — New Zealand’s largest and best-known certifier for organic produce and products that promote the highest levels of organic quality. Being rich in vitamins and minerals for the daily diet needed by the human body, Santé Barley Max helps middle-aged, health-conscious individuals enjoy a good quality of life. It helps in enhancing the immune system and provides protection from illnesses and diseases. Santé Barley Max also contains stevia, which is a natural plant-based sweetener, low in calories and does not raise blood sugar levels.

 

Like all Pinoy moms, Dimples Romana juggles her time as an actress and as a mother while ensuring the safety of her family in these trying times due to the pandemic. 

 

An awarding-winning and internationally acclaimed dramatic actress who has starred in a steady string of blockbuster films and top-rating TV series such as One More Chance, The Mall, The Merrier, Block Z, Bagani, and Kadenang Ginto as well as her current primetime hit Viral Scandal, Dimples is also a mother of two kids whom she considers as her top priorities despite her hectic schedule as one of today’s most in-demand and bankable dramatic actresses in the industry. 

“I am so grateful for being able to work and have endorsement deals because these are really very uncertain times,” says Dimples. “I believe that everything could be balanced with the right blend of time management. Work is essential but my family is the most important in my life. We need to stay healthy and active not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. This is the reason why I am so ecstatic now that I am officially a part of the Santé Barley Max family because the brand is really effective in strengthening the immune system and providing the vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need every day. One sachet per day or a single capsule before a meal of Santé Barley Max really makes a world of difference.”

The transition from face-to-face classes to a fully remote learning setup has been challenging, especially for the parents. From keeping their kids away from boredom to ensuring that they are focused in school, parents have never been as busy when it comes to ensuring their kids remain engaged despite the restrictions of distance learning.

When I had Covid last April, the first step we did is to have everyone at home tested as well. I remember calling the first home servicing medical team who can perform antigen testing even if costed me a big deal. Back then, antigen tests were far fetched. I was sick and worried for my family, plus expenses were quite a notch higher. Stress!

But now, I am happy to let you know that quality and affordable COVID-19 antigen tests kits are now available conveniently at Watsons!

photo source

Recognizing the importance of widespread testing, Watsons will sell FDA-certified COVID-19 antigen test kits with a price range of P399-P500 at select stores in Metro Manila starting October 25 and will be available in all stores nationwide by November 25.

We all now realize the importance of keeping our families healthy by boosting our immunities with vitamins and supplements.  As moms we are oh so ready that we stock up on over-the-counter meds just in case we fall ill with fever or colds or hurt some muscles.  

Good thing, the Most Loved products in the Best of Health category at Watsons are vitamins and medications shoppers picked to help them feel better and become healthier and stronger.

Watsons is available to many Filipinos anytime, anywhere, who were very definite about their health, beauty and wellness finds.

Take a look at shoppers' picks for Best of Health products:

Best of Health for Nutritional Supplement - Ensure Gold Vanilla

Ensure Gold fills the nutrition gaps in adults. It is clinically proven to improve strength and immunity with well-balanced proportions of macronutrients. It's a bonus that the vanilla flavor tastes good!

Best of Health for Topical Analgesic - Salonpas Medicated Patch

This is a product that's trusted by generations of users. It's safe and it really works to eliminate minor aches and pains plus its scent if comforting and brings us back to our childhood.

Best of Health for Cold Preparation - Neozep Non-Drowsy

When you have a cold but need to work, Neozep is always the go-to. It relieves cold symptoms without the drowsiness.

Best of Health for Anti-Aging Supplement - Mosbeau Placenta White Advanced Supplement

This Mosbeau supplement has ingredients that help in whitening, anti-aging and in boosting your immunity. It minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and smoothens skin texture.

Best of Health for Single Vitamin - Fern C

This Vitamin C supplement is non-acidic, which means you can drink it on an empty stomach. It is sodium ascorbate, a Vitamin C form that's more easily absorbed by the body.

Best of Health for Oral Analgesic - Biogesic

Biogesic is a household name that's been around in what feels like forever. It is used for the relief of mild to moderate pain and fever.

Best of Health for Health Supplement - MX3 Plus Capsule

MX3 Plus Capsule is a natural food supplement with triple antioxidants- Natural Pure Xanthone, Q10, and L-Carnitine-that help with weight loss the natural way. This works with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Best of Health for Adult Multivitamin - Centrum Advance

Centrum gives you 25 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in one tablet. It supports heart and eye health and gives your body the immunity it needs.

Check out the Most Loved picks at any of Watsons' 800+ stores nationwide or any of the online channels and get up to 50% off a selection of health, beauty and wellness products until September 2, 2021.

Watsons has teamed up with SM Supermalls for the Trash to Cash Recycling Market. With this initiative, shoppers are encouraged to Do Good by dropping off empty packaging of health and beauty products in exchange for cash and other incentives at designated recycling areas in selected SM malls. To date, 65 kgs of trash has been collected and 40 million plastic bottles have been recycled via this initiative.

There are many ways to shop at Watsons:

Visit any of their 800+ stores nationwide (https://www.watsons.com.ph/store-finder)

Shop online via (https://www.watsons.com.ph) or via the mobile app (http://bit.ly/WatsonsMobileApp)

For more information, you may visit https://interactive.watsons.com.ph/sustainablechoices

At Watsons, wellness is just a tap or a click away! Use your Watsons Card to earn points. For updates, you can also follow @watsonsph on Facebook and Instagram, @watsonsphilippines on YouTube and TikTok.