August 22-24, 2008
9th Annual Convention of the Stroke Society of the Philippines
Baguio Country Club

The 9th Annual Convention of the Stroke Society of the Philippines was held at the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City, in the posh Baguio Country Club from August 22-24, 2008. This year’s theme was “STOP STROKE before it STOPS YOU”. Not only did the organizers made a very comprehensive scientific program this year but also prepared an exciting activity for the fellowship night with the pharmaceutical companies. The 3-day convention was attended by members, guests & friends of the society from all over the Philippines.

Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical, Inc was one of the sponsors of the annual convention. OPPI had a booth exhibit for the 2 days of the event. OPPI staffs from Marketing plus the full support of Sales were there to represent the presence of Pletaal & OPPI. Giveaways for the booth included the bioequivalence study of Cilostazol versus the generic drugs. Assigned staff was there to detail the objectives & results of the study. Since other pharmaceutical companies are already marketing today their generic products of Cilostazol here in the Philippines, it was vital to deliver to the doctors the difference of the innovative product to the generic ones. OPPI also sponsored 16 MDs for the said event. Sponsorship covered MDs fromLuzon to Mindanao. They were treated to a dinner gathering during the first day of the convention at the Gilligan’s restaurant where the staff & the MDs had the opportunity to mingle with each other.

During the 2nd day, a sportsfest was held at the bowling center of BCC. Ms. Nina Baltazar represented OPPI during the tournament. During the fellowship night, OPPI was teamed up with Dr. Jose Navarro for a dance contest. Together with representatives from UCB & LRI, the group danced to the tune of “Ale” by the Bloomfields. It was also a very memorable event since this was the last year of the incumbent SSP officers. The newly elected officers were also announced during the party. Dr. Jose Navarro was the newly elected President of SSP. Before the night ended, song numbers were performed by representatives of other pharmaceutical companies. Of course, OPPI will not be left behind.

A song number was rendered by OPPI’sCME Events officer Mr. Steve Derit. On guitars was Mr. Jon Diego, Team Leader of South MMA. The duo performed the song “Äkoý Saýo, Ikaý Akin” by Iaxe. The night ended with bonding & camaraderie between the society & the pharmaceutical companies. The convention was a success. Next year, the SSP annual convention will be held in Iloilo City. A new year means new ideas will be formed by the new set of officers. Rest assured that OPPI will be there to give support.

August 20 - 21, 2008
12th Midyear Convention of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians
(PCCP) Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

The 12th Midyear Convention of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians was held at the beautiful Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino in the “Queen City of the South”, Cebu City last August 21-22, 2008. This 2-day convention was attended by doctors from all over the Philippines & its success was attributed to the hardwork & careful planning of the organizing committee headed by Dr. Vinci Urgel of the

PCCP Cebu Chapter & of course the PCCP president, Dr. Gracita Ramos, & the society’s officers.

Pharmaceutical companies also had their share in making the convention successful. Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical, Inc., with its pledged support to the society, will not be left behind in taking part on this momentous event. During the first day of the convention, OPPI had set-up a booth in promoting its Meptin & Obucort Swinghaler, two of the newest addition to OPPI respi products. Members of the OPPI Sales staff for Cebu, headed by

their regional sales manager, Mr. Dodoy Adriatico & team leader, Jeffrey Ong, were there to distribute & detail the giveaways to the attendees. Also there to support the team were the CEO & General Manager of OPPI, Mr. Pol Dimerin & the Associate Marketing Director, Mr. Kervin Dela Cruz. Undoubtedly, the presence of OPPI in the convention was felt. The booth too became the venue in meeting the company’s loyal friends & new faces from the society.

Still during the first day, OPPI, with its commitment to providing doctors the much needed information & updates on healthcare, also had a lunch symposium. OPPI invited one of the best pulmonologist in the country, Dr. Shirley Jane Chua - Panganiban of Chinese General Hospital to talk about the latest in asthma management & treatment. Her presentation was entitled, “Asthma Management Today, Evolving Concepts, Changing Strategies”.

The symposium was attended by more than what was expected even though there was a product launching of a generic product of another pharmaceutical company being held at the adjacent hall. Clearly, all the preparations for the symposium paid off. Also having a role in the symposium were Dr. Vinci Urgel for the welcome remarks & Dr. Franklin Yu for the reaction. Dr. Abundio Balgos was the master of ceremonies & moderator during the open forum. And just as an added attraction to the symposium, OPPI held a raffle after the event. At stake were communications & presentation gadgets. After the open forum, Mr. Dimerin delivered the closing remarks.

The day ended with the fellowship night for the doctors & pharmaceutical friends. OPPI was there to take part in the evening activity prepared by the society. The next day was just a continuation of the booth for OPPI, nevertheless, the promotion & awareness of the Meptin & Obucort Swinghaler was there until the end of the day.

Another successful convention for OPPI’s Respi Group!

August 15 - 17, 2008
OPPI Supports the 2nd Annual Meeting of AACE Philippine Chapter

The Philippine Chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists held their 2nd Annual Meeting last August 15-17, 2008 at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lahug, Cebu City. The theme for the 3-day annual meeting for the second time was “Untying the Knots of Endocrine Issues and Controversies” and attended by members & invited guests from different societies all over the Philippines. Distinguished and renowned local and international speakers were invited to share their experiences and expertise of their respective fields.

In its commitment not only to support the society but also impart the latest update in the treatment of vascular diseases, OPPI invited Dr. Samuel R. Money, a premiere vascular surgeon, Chair of the Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, to share the favorable result of the CASTLE (Cilostazol: A Study in Long Term Effects) study (published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery last February 2008) through a luncheon scientific symposium last August 16, 2008 at the Marquee tent of Shangri-la Mactan. The lecture was entitled, “TASC II and The Non-Operative Care of the Vascular Patient”. It was attended by more than 250 delegates. The event was a success with no questions left unanswered during the open forum.

Aside from the scientific lecture, OPPI had a booth exhibit promoting Pletaal and sponsored (3) endocrinologists assigned by the AACE Organizing Committee:
Drs. Ramon Caceres, Raymond Oribio and Cristina Modina. OPPI staff from Sales & Marketing joint forces manned the booth & detailed
Pletaal promotional materials. Also present during the event were Mr. Leopoldo T. Dimerin, President & General Manager and Mr. Kervin M. Dela Cruz, Associate Marketing Director. One of the highlights of the convention was the Induction of the new sets of officers of AACE Philippine Chapter for 2009. Dr. Honolina S. Gomez was the newly elected president and succeeds Dr. George B. Tan, immediate past President of AACE Philippine Chapter and Dr. Estrellita V. Lopez-Fernando, President-elect. Dr. Augusto D. Litonjua, President Emiritus and Adviser led the introduction of the new officers and oath-taking ceremony. Another highlight of the event was the Bench fashion show and the fellowship night, a great venue for camaraderie and mingle with colleagues and friends from the pharmaceutical industry.

As one of the active corporate partners of AACE Philippine Chapter, our objective is to establish a stronger relationship with the endocrinologists and promote the edge of Pletaal, as the innovator brand against generic cilostazols and present evidence based clinical trial (CASTLE Study) to protect and maintain dominance in the PAD (Peripheral
Arterial Disease) market.

August 2 -3, 2008
FIREBIRD Team Participates in MicroPort Medical Training Program in Shanghai, China

Last August 2 and 3, MicroPort Medical Shanghai conducted a training program for all OIAA affiliates involved in the sales and marketing of Firebird and other MPS interventional products in the region. Together with 9 other participants from Indonesia and Thailand, OPPI Firebird team took part in the 2-day training to further enhance knowledge in the product and other related matters. The training agenda covered the basics in cardiology, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and the role of drug eluting stents in the management of CAD.

Product and competitor highlights and related clinical trials were also tackled. To make the entire experience complete, a tour in the factory grounds was conducted to showcase the cutting edge production capacity of Microport as one of its nation’s major provider of medical devices and technologies. After 2 days of learning, the program was capped off by a memorable cruise along Huangpu River, Shanghai’s main artery connecting East China Sea and the Yangzi River. Over sumptuous dinner and a breathtaking view of both the old and new Shanghai cityscapes alongside the river, the experience that will always be remembered came to a fitting close.

July 23, 2008
OPPI Received Certificate of Appreciation from Philippine National Red Cross

Mr. Joel Almariego, Chairman of Otsuka Cares, receives a certificate of Appreciation from Philippine National Red Cross last July 23, 2008 in recognition of the success of the "Blood for Life" Program conducted by the company in October 2008 where we had 59 successful donors.