June 26, 2008
Be the BEST

To keep the adrenalin of the field force going as the plans for the second half of the year unfold, a team building activity was conducted by Ed Teovisio of Mindbroker Corporation entitled: “Be the BEST – Beaming Example of a Synergistic Team”.

The program highlighted team effectiveness through the six basic essentials for a synergistic team which includes good camaraderie, complementary skills, common work approach, mutual responsibility, unity in goal and purpose and collective accountability.

It also stressed the importance of Confluent Learning for personal effectiveness which is essentially the bringing together of the eight life streams, physical - working out a best conditioned body, intrapersonal - achieving a best conditioned mind, spiritual - setting clear goals and pure intentions, cognitive - knowing the force of words and numbers, creative - tapping the power of one’s imagination, interpersonal - interacting meaningfully with others, emotional - mastering one’s emotions, and behavioral - practicing for perfect execution.

Equipped with the learning from the program, management looks forward to a strong finish in 2008 at its sales and marketing team commits to “Be the BEST”.

June 23, 2008
ELECTIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS MEETING

From Left : Mr. Yoshihiro Bando (President, Director PT.AIO), Atty. Reynaldo Destura, Jose Jacinto Aquino (OPPI Finance Director), Mr. Kiyoshi Fukai (Regional Director Pharmaceutical Business OIAA Division), Leopoldo T. Dimerin (OPPI President and General Manager), Mr. Koji Ueda (Operating Officer, Pharmaceutical Business OIAA Division) and Ethan K. Takemoto (Business Development and External Communication Director)

Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OPPI) held its Annual Stockholders’ Meeting last June 23, 2008 at Otsuka office in Makati City. Gracing the meeting from Japan were Mr. Koji Ueda, Operating Officer, Pharmaceutical Business OIAA Division and Mr. Kiyoshi Fukai, Regional Director Pharmaceutical Business OIAA Division. Also present was Mr. Yoshihiro Bando, President, Director PT.AIO.

A new set of Directors were elected during the meeting and they are the following:
Koji Ueda
Kiyoshi Fukai
Leopoldo T. Dimerin
Yoshihiro Bando
Ethan K. Takemoto
Jose Jacinto M. Aquino

Mr. Dimerin was appointed Chairman of the Board while Mr. Fukai was appointed Vice Chairman.

In the meeting, a cash dividends was declared by OPPI to be payable to OPCJ within the year. The amount is the highest ever cash dividend declared by OPPI from the time of incorporation..

For Nutraceutical business, it was agreed that an additional investment will be appropriated for Pocari Sweat out of the OPPI’s Retained Earnings. Pocari Sweat is in its second year after its successful launch in the Philippine market in April 2007.

It was also agreed in the meeting that OPPI’s purpose in its Articles of Incorporation be amended to include the business of “pesticide, insecticide and herbicide” to pave the way for the introduction of this business in the future.

Mr. Dimerin likewise reported on OPPI’s financial status and its targets for 2008, and to expand the business and venture into the IV solutions.

June 23 - 26, 2008
OTSUKA MID-YEAR SALES CONFERENCE AT THE STOTSENBERG HOTEL:
IT IS TIME TO GAS UP!

The sales and marketing people of Otsuka gathered last June 23 to 26 for the one of the much-awaited event of the year, the midyear sales conference. This business meeting is critical to the success of the company for the remaining six months of the year. As our dear President and General Manager, Mr. Pol T. Dimerin stated in his message that there are opportunities during crisis but we need to remain focused in order to achieve our goal, to chart our growth, be ahead of the competition and to stand steadfast in our faith committing that we will NEVER, NEVER GIVE-UP.

The second semester of 2008 has a lot to offer- new and innovative programs that would spell our edge from the others. Innovate to invade 2008 remains our battle cry! There is no way to reach the top if we refuse to reinvent ourselves. In this conference, all teams cracked their heads in analyzing what we had accomplished and where we are heading. The Management Committee presented clear and precise direction of Otsuka on the first day. All of the plans are intertwined with the vision of the company.

People as we say are the best resource of the organization and truly, in this meeting, there are many new things coming in to energize people from Otsuka. Mr. Rex Laroza, Sales and Training Director elaborated more on this aspect as he encouraged all staff to continue on with the fight and make winning a conscious choice.

Change is common in any business organization. There are new faces that joined the team. There have been movements and promotions to support the overall direction of the company. Representing the marketing people, the newly promoted Mr. Kervin Dela Cruz laid down the strategic imperatives as well as the key initiatives of the group. Building and strengthening the image of our brands is the main thrust of each programs. As we are battling over the generic counterparts of Pletaal, we need to grow Abilify and Mucosta to ensure the stability of the company. Meptin has to grab more market share as it expands its business beyond the pediatric segment. Firebird and Aminoleban are seizing every opportunity to reap its investment and dominate the market there are currently in.

Fresh from Indonesia, Mr. Yoshiniro Bando, President of the Pocari Sweat Division from PT Amerta Indah Otsuka, imparted a simple and yet a heart-warming message enjoining Nutraceutical and the Pharmaceutical teams in promoting Pocari Sweat to our stakeholders. On behalf of Mr. Fukai from OIAA, Mr. Takemoto delivered his message encapsulated in three powerful words: DETERMINATION- a firm and fixed intention to achieve a desired end,

ACTION- concrete steps taken to attain set goals congruent to the purpose and lastly, DESTINATION- the place where a journey stops, a predetermined end. These three words will determine how we will end in our quest. Absence of one may hinder the way to triumph.

POA cascade from each Product Manager happened thereafter to guarantee the thorough understanding of the sales team on the program mechanics. Sales planning were conducted by each Regional Sales Manager to plot the activities for the second half of the year. Ms. Ivee Ballesteros also conducted the PK and POA examination and detailing to cap the 3-day sales review.

In this conference, to gas up also means that we need to be beaming example of a synergistic team. As the saying goes, “United we stand, divided we fall,” the Human Resource Department headed by Ms. Malou Jose, organized a team building activity to create a more cohesive TEAM OTSUKA. This half-day event proved to be worthwhile as we were heartened to set aside our individual agenda and be part of a greater mission of the company. All the activities were hinged to the objective of building the best synergistic team.

After a hard week’s work, the Midyear Conference Organizing Committee set up a no holds- barred “Videoke Night” headed by Mr. Joel Almariego and Ms. Tetchak Lopez. The hidden talents of Otsuka came out in the open to share their masterpieces. Others broke their silence as they rendered their first public performance as part of the initiation process of their respective team. Truly, we know how to work hard and to play hard!

When the last dim of lights went off, we were reminded that when all things have been laid down, we need to act fast. Vision comes alive when everyone sees where his or her contribution makes a difference.

To the Management, Chair, and members of the Organizing Committee, our deepest thanks for putting up all the efforts and resources for this Midyear Sales Conference. [elg]

 

April 30-May 2
“Swing back to Life – OPPI launched the Swinghaler”

A new Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) device, Swinghaler, developed by Otsuka Techno have been launched recently in the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP) 16th Annual Convention and 8th National Meeting on Childhood Asthma, held last April 30-May 2, 2008 in Camp John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio. Meptin Swinghaler (Procaterol HCl) and Obucort Swinghaler (Budesonide) was introduced to the pediatricians and pediatric pulmonologists thru the society’s Fellowship Night and scientific lecture in the luncheon symposium.

Dr. Yuichi Adachi from University of Toyama, Japan, discussed the role of ß2- Agonists in Chilhood Asthma, last May 2, 2008 in an Otsuka sponsored luncheon symposium. Three companies conducted simultaneous symposia during the convention; however, it is not enough to hold more than 200 pediatric doctors from attending our lecture. With these new line extensions from Meptin and a new ICS, Obucort Swinghaler, asthma management need not to be expensive and complicated. Swinghaler…Swing back to life!