March 25, 2008
CASTLE Cislostazol : A Study in Long Term Effects Launch

One of the main objectives of PLETAAL for the year 2008 is to strengthen and protect PAD market in the Endocrinology and Diabetology franchise. Aside from the different Patient Advocacy Programs we have, as the innovator of CILOSTAZOL PLETAAL, we continue to originate evidence-based clinical trials that will boost more confidence of our partners in the medical field.

After the long wait and preparation, Otsuka Philippines proudly launched its newest evidence-based clinical trial; the CASTLE study (Cilostazol: A Study in Long Term Effects, published January 2008 at the JourWSWnal of Vascular Surgery), last March 25, 2008 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The study showed the long term safety of CILOSTAZOL compared with placebo in patients with Intermittent Claudication secondary to PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease). The event’s theme is “CASTLE: Building Confidence and Beyond”. Highlight of the royal gathering is a back-to-back lecture from the two of the most renowned and distinguished speakers in the field of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Dr. Ricardo E. Fernando talked on PAD, unique Mode of Action of CILOSTAZOL PLETAAL and highlighted its apoptotic and anti-oxidant effects while Dr. Augusto D. Litonjua discussed the different clinical trials of CILOSTAZOL PLETAAL and the newest of all the trials which is the CASTLE study. The discussion became more interactive, when Dr. Ramon F. Abarquez, Jr., a distinguished Cardiologist, Professor Emeritus of the University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, added his positive reaction and opinion about the discussion and our product.

The scientific lecture was coupled with entertainment and production numbers with guest stars, Mr, Jay Cayuca, a premiere violinist, Ms. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Ba, a musical theater artist, Ballet Company and Mr. Raymond Lauchengco, who directed the event, a very good theater director in the Musical Theater industry.

Truly, the event made a history for CILOSTAZOL PLETAAL and Otsuka Philippines.

February 21-23, 2008
Mucosta hits PAFP with a STORM.

Last February 21-23, the 47th Anniversary and Annual Convention of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians has concluded its CME activities for the year 2008 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). It was well attended with 3,000 delegates from the different PAFP chapters as well as private and government healthcare practitioners.

With the theme “Optimizing the Competencies of the Filpino Family Physician in Health Care”, headed by its president Dr. Alejandro Pineda, the convention was a success in providing new medical updates to our medical practitioners. Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical Inc. with the aim of providing uncompromising customer service and its goal to improve the patients’ quality of life held a luncheon symposium on the 1st day entitled “Issues in the Management of NSAID-induced Gastropathy ” with Dr.Jose D. Sollano, a gastroenterologist from University of Santo Tomas as guest speaker. The symposium was graced by almost 400 attendees. The highlights of the symposium are the importance of vigilance in identifying risk factors and prevalence of NSAID-Gastropthy in the clinical setting. The importance of NSAID-Gastropthy prevention was supported by the new data on the incidence of NSAID Gastropathy a paper authored by Dr. Nenny Agustanti et al. in the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, which was presented in the International Gastrointestinal Consensus Symposium (IGICS) last February 7, 2008 at Osaka, Japan. The role of Rebamipide (Mucosta ®) as a cytoprotective agent for prevention of NSAID-induced gastropathy as show in the STORM Trial was the take home message imparted by Dr. Jose D. Sollano. This event provides an opportunity for medical practitioners to optimize their continued medical education through utilization of a therapeutic option in managing patients at risk and suffering from NSAID Gastropathy.

February 20-21, 2008
Meptin: A critical partner of PSCCM

The Philippine Society of Critical Care Medicine in cooperation with Otsuka had its 10th Annual Convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel last February 20 and 21, 2008. It was attended by hundreds of doctors across the country.

It was a big opportunity to be included due to a sudden pull-out of a big pharma member. We were able to be one of the major sponsors of the event, thus, we had our luncheon symposium on the 1st day (February 20) and our booth was located at the Ballroom lobby. We gave useful items like loot bags, paper bags and our ion supply drink, Pocari Sweat! During the luncheon symposium, we had the opportunity to share the new Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2006 and new ideas about (Procaterol HCl) Meptin ®, as a full agonist, its role in asthma management and clinical bene its over partial agonist like Salbutamol. Dr. Abundio Balgos, our speaker did well in presenting these key-points with his lecture titled:"Asthma Management Today: Evolving Concepts, Changing Strategies" Fifteen lucky delegates who attended the symposium won in our rafle conducted in our booth after the symposium. Well, that’s a good start for Meptin ® and we will have more! Come this March, we will start the awareness campaign for the new Swinghaler in the PCCP Annual convention at Sofitel Philippine Plaza before the grand product launch of Meptin and Obucort Swinghaler on May 2 during the PAPP Convention. We need to continue to innovate and to invade this 2008!

Swinghaler… Swing back to life!!!

February 14, 2008
Leadership Training

On February 14, 2008, the whole management team of OPPI gathered together for a whole day training on leadership enhancement. Entitled “The Way of a Leader ”, the program was conducted by Mr. Rene Pangilinan of Interface Training and Development, International, and held at the “Legend Villas ” in Mandaluyong City. Mr. Pol Dimerin started the program by reiterating his direction to undertake training

and development programs for employees to ensure their readiness to achieve maximum efficiency in the performance of their functions, duties and responsibilities. He stressed that the leadership program is just the start in the long list of training programs lined up this year.

Anchored on the basic principles of shepherding, the program tacked the seven fundamental precepts to managing productive people. It taught the participants how to view work as a calling rather than just a place to work, how to infuse work with meaning, and how to engage and energize their respective teams. Tight as it was, Mr. Pangilinan managed to infuse a number of exercises to accentuate certain leadership principles which made the program not just a pure learning experience but also fun and interactive.
Before six, the participants, armed with additional learning, left the Villas to enjoy the rest of the day with their special dates.

January 14-16 , 2008
OPPI ’s National Sales Conference at the Baguio Country Club: “I2I-Innovate to Invade 2008 ”

Last January 14 to 16, OPPI geared up to start the year right with the cascade of company’s direction and different product strategies. 2008 marks also the inaugural assignment of our 1st ever-Filipino President and General Manager, Mr. Leopoldo T. Dimerin. He now leads the new teams to dominate 2008. The big event was graced by our business partners from Kyoto, Japan and Indonesia.

The marketing people led the cascade for the plan of actions.This was polished during the detailing session with the participation of our colleagues from Kyoto branch. The management committee also delivered their respective messages enforcing and everyone to persevere in the company goals. The stunning ladies and gentlemen of Otsuka graced the yearly awards night donned in their most dashing tuxedos and masquerade gowns. Achievers and loyal employees of Otsuka were also acknowledged for their exemplary contributions to the company.

Everyone shared with the learning and fun in this National Sales Conference. Otsuka Philippines has come a long way and we are growing both in terms of number of employees and have business expansion from ethical to consumer with the introduction of Pocari Sweat in the Philippine market. Let us all innovate ourselves to invade the most challenging year of Otsuka in the Philippines. Be part of the success story! The organizers ’ theme “Living the Dream” was very much in tune with Pocari Sweat’s dream of becoming the best choice health drink among the growing health conscious Filipinos. For the major race 42-K,a Kenyan runner was awarded First Place bagging $5000 and a trophy by OPPI’s President and General Manager, Mr. Leopoldo Dimerin along with Pocari Sweat’s Product Manager Mr. Apollo Casuga and National Sales Manager Mr.Brad Santiago. Two Filipino bets Eduardo Buenavista got 2nd place while Cresenciano Sabal landed in 7th place with corresponding cash prizes and trophies. The event culminated with entertainment from dancers and bands playing music for the spectators. Together with the organizers, Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical, Inc. promises to live the dream of corporate responsibility in supporting a healthy life-style, promoting sportsmanship and discipline; of upholding awareness in improving people’s lives through Otsuka’s maxim of “creating new products for a better health worldwide.”

January 2008
CSMC’s pioneer in the Adult Cardiology Training Program is Firebird’s First Fellow in Interventional Cardiology.

In a bid to boost the role of Firebird in upholding continuing medical education, Otsuka partners with Cardinal Santos Medical Center in providing support for the sub – fellowship training of their first Clinical Research Fellow in Invasive Cardiology through the efforts of Dr. Erwin Dizon, Program Director and Dr. Ariel Miranda as Training Officer.

As the first Firebird fellow, Dr. Regidor Encabo is also the first graduate in the Adult Cardiology Training Program of the institution. He completed his studies in Medicine at the University of Sto. Tomas in 1997 and proceeded to finish residency training in Internal Medicine in 2003 and Adult Cardiology last year in CSMC. Dr. Encabo is blessed with 2 kids with his wife who is also a pediatrician at the Children’s Medical Center. Despite his hectic schedule, Dr. Encabo makes time for either badminton or jogging to get fit.