LAHORE, Pakistan -- Pakistan said on Monday it was investigating two local distributors of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche's Avastin cancer drug after 12 diabetic patients injected with the drug went blind. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) said the health authorities in Punjab, the most populous province, had launched the investigation into local use of the drug Avastin, which is licensed for use in Pakistan. "Incidents of loss of vision in diabetic patients have been reported following treatment with Altered/Dispensed/Diluted Avastin injection," the regulator said in a statement. Javed Akram, the province's Minister for Specialised Health, said police were questioning two men they believe to be the drug's distributors in the state. "A high level committee has been constituted to probe the issue. A case has been registered against the distributor and his aide," Akram said. Following the incidents, the DRAP instructed the importer to recall the suspected … [Read more...] about Pakistan probes distributors of Roche cancer drug after patients go blind
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Cuban delegation visits Vietnam-Cuba friendship hospital in Dong Hoi
President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez presents a gift to a child patient treated at the hospital. (Photo: VNA) Quang Binh (VNA) – A Cuban high-level delegation headed by President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez on September 25 visited the Vietnam-Cuba friendship hospital in the central province of Quang Binh’s Dong Hoi city, which was built in 1973 following then President Fidel Castro's visit to the region. Welcoming the delegation, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and head of the provincial delegation of NA deputies Vu Dai Thang highlighted Quang Binh’s appreciation of Cuba’s affection and assistance for the province and the liberated zone in South Vietnam during the fiercest days of the struggle. Recently, as part of a visit by Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue to Cuba in late April, the provincial People's Committee signed a memorandum of understanding on … [Read more...] about Cuban delegation visits Vietnam-Cuba friendship hospital in Dong Hoi
Vietnamese coffee introduced at 5th World Coffee Conference & Expo in India
On display at the pavilion, which covers 144sq.m and is arranged by the Vietnam Coffee - Cocoa Association (VICOFA), are popular Vietnamese coffee products from major enterprises such as Trung Nguyen Group, L'amant Cafe, Olympics Coffee Joint Stock Company, and Van Tho Import-Export Co., Ltd. Apart from attending the expo, Vietnamese exhibitiors join all conferences and B2B meetings, field trips to coffee factories in India. India is identified as an important market for Vietnamese coffee exports, especially processed coffee products such as roasted, ground, and instant coffee. The VICOFA and Vietnamese businesses are planning to promote trade promotion activities, connecting and penetrating distribution chains in India with support from the Vietnamese Embassy in India. The WCC is held every five years since 2001, and the 5th WCC was delayed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bengaluru is the first city in Asia to host the conference. Taking place from September 25-28 with … [Read more...] about Vietnamese coffee introduced at 5th World Coffee Conference & Expo in India
Innovative medicine sales top the list for multinationals
Non-communicable diseases are still on the rise in Vietnam, and thus more choice and more modern answers are required, Photo: Le Toan Pfizer plans to bring numerous innovative medicines to Vietnam over the next four years. This is in line with its global strategy, as the company has made significant progress towards launching 19 new products over an 18-month span, having executed 11 launches so far. According to Pfizer, the company continues to build momentum, recently attaining key milestones for several products, including the US launches of Prevnar 20 in paediatric patients; as well as US approvals and launches of several other key medicines Darrell Oh, country manager of Pfizer Vietnam, told VIR, “Pfizer Vietnam will continue focusing our business where we believe we can have the greatest impact on patients and society – pursuing what we believe to be the most innovative biopharmaceutical therapies and vaccines.” “More than ever, we believe that the innovative industry … [Read more...] about Innovative medicine sales top the list for multinationals
4-story house collapse seriously injures 2 in Ho Chi Minh City
A man sustained numerous injuries and another person suffered fractured legs after a four-story house collapsed due to an unstable foundation in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday. At about 12:30 pm on Sunday, the house in Alley 133 of Binh Quoi Street in Binh Thanh District tumbled down. The house was under renovation at the time of the incident, the administration of Binh Thanh District informed on Monday. At the time, six workers, Ha Huu Thong -- the owner of the house -- his wife and daughter were inside the house. Two of the people escaped from the house collapse, while the seven others were trapped inside. Firefighters and rescuers in Binh Thanh District immediately rushed to the scene to save the seven victims. A screenshot from a video shows rescuers seeking victims of the house collapse incident in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Two seriously injured patients are in treatment at Gia Dinh People's Hospital in Binh Thanh … [Read more...] about 4-story house collapse seriously injures 2 in Ho Chi Minh City
Gene Solutions secures $21 million to facilitate expansion in Southeast Asia
The investment was made by the Mekong Enterprise Fund IV (MEF IV) under Mekong Capital. Following MEF IV’s initial investment in 2021, this latest addition will support Gene Solutions ’ expansion plans in Southeast Asia, especially relating to the provision of early detection tests for multiple forms of cancer. Chris Freund, founder and partner at Mekong Capital said, "This second round of investment by MEF IV into Gene Solutions will be used to fund their ongoing expansion throughout Southeast Asia. We have great confidence in Dr. Nghia, the co-founders, and the excellent team that Gene Solutions has assembled. Our initial investment in Gene Solutions has been performing very well over the last two years, and of course, we expect this will continue as Gene Solutions emerges as a model of a successful and sustainable biotechnology company in Southeast Asia." Gene Solutions specialises in detecting the presence of certain diseases based on DNA markers. The company's success was … [Read more...] about Gene Solutions secures $21 million to facilitate expansion in Southeast Asia
Vietnam’s dialysis sector commended in Southeast Asia
A hemodialysis patient (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam currently has 350 hemodialysis units with 3,500 medical staff and over 5,500 machines performing dialysis for about 33,000 patients, the recent second scientific conference of the Vietnam Dialysis Association (VDA) revealed. VDA Chairman Dr Nguyen Huu Dung said Vietnam's dialysis industry is highly appreciated in Southeast Asia and has made strong progress in catching up with the world-class level, most notably with techniques such as cyclic dialysis, online hemodiafiltration and blood adsorption. However, with many kidney failure patients needing dialysis, a shortage of dialysis equipment has occurred. He said that patients have to undergo dialysis on shifts, even at night. "Despite efforts over the past time, which are highly appreciated, Vietnam's dialysis sector is facing challenges when chronic kidney failure patients are younger, and the number of patients in need of treatment is on the upward trend. Hence, … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s dialysis sector commended in Southeast Asia
HCM City to put new dialysis facility in rural area into operation in October
Patients on dialysis at Le Van Thinh Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) - The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health will inaugurate a new dialysis facility in the outlying district of Can Gio in early next month, providing better access to dialysis for people who have kidney failure or end-stage renal disease . The dialysis unit at the Can Gio Health Centre, the first of its kind in the district, will be equipped with five dialysis machines and essential devices for dialysis procedures, according to the city’s Department of Health. Le Van Thinh Hospital will deploy doctors and nurses to Can Gio Health Centre to care for patients at the dialysis unit. At least one doctor and two nurses will be responsible for medical care during dialysis treatments. Forty-one people on dialysis in Can Gio district have to travel to city-level hospitals to undergo dialysis. There are 39 dialysis units in the city to provide treatment for nearly 4,500 people … [Read more...] about HCM City to put new dialysis facility in rural area into operation in October
Unapproved advertising a sticky issue for HCMC
In front of Tu Du Hospital on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, makeshift advertising posters, stickers and graffiti-like scribbles can be seen all over the walls and electric poles, with contents ranging from loans to drainage services. As the location is often populated with people and their families awaiting medical treatment, it is a prime spot for these types of advertisements to sprout up. A security guard at the hospital said the hospital and local authorities frequently remove the unapproved decals, but they always return the next day. "They ride motorbikes, bringing with them stacks of advertisement posters and pasting them onto things before leaving immediately, making prevention difficult," the guard said. Unapproved advertisements have been a plague on many HCMC structures for many years. From the smallest alleys to major roads, people can always see such posters and scribbles on walls, electric poles, lampposts, et al. Even the trees have posters nailed … [Read more...] about Unapproved advertising a sticky issue for HCMC
US employers to see biggest healthcare cost jump in a decade in 2024
Benefit consultants from Mercer, Aon and Willis Towers Watson see employer healthcare costs jumping 5.4% to 8.5% in 2024 due to medical inflation, soaring demand for costly weight-loss drugs and wider availability of high-priced gene therapies. A survey conducted by Mercer, a unit of Marsh McLennan, found over two thirds of employers either do not plan to shift any cost increase to their staff or will pass on less than the expected rise in 2024. "They don't want to add more financial stress on employees who are also coping with inflation, especially in this time where they're really relying on their health benefits as a way to keep employees working for them," said Beth Umland, Mercer's director of health & benefits research. U.S. consumer prices accelerated 3.7% in the 12 months through August, down from a peak of 9.1% in June last year. However, medical cost increases usually lag general inflation as contracts between insurers and hospitals for the prices of procedures are … [Read more...] about US employers to see biggest healthcare cost jump in a decade in 2024