Dengue cases Update for 2015



Malaysia has recorded a remarkable increase in the number of dengue cases, in the first three weeks of 2015 as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

According to a statement released by the Minister of Health Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, for the first three weeks of 2015, the number of dengue cases reported nationwide was 8,502, an increase of 65% from 5,141 cases reported during the same period last year.

"One of the reasons for the rise in the number of cases and deaths is the dengue serotype shift that happened in August last year, where there was a shift in the dominant serotype from DEN 2 to DEN 1," said Subramaniam.

"Besides the serotype shift, other factors contributing to the increase in the number of dengue cases were environmental factors, uncontrolled human movements (especially those carrying the virus), the weather and the unhealthy human behaviour.

The Health Ministry said medical practitioners at private clinics and hospitals are not able to detect symptoms of dengue on 99 percent of patients during their first visit.

Subramaniam said the Health Ministry viewed the statistics seriously because early detection was important to tackle a drastic increase in the number of dengue cases.

Subramaniam said the ministry wants the procedures to detect dengue cases be enhanced by using the Combo Rapid Test Kit.  "I hope private hospitals can be equipped with the kit and used for early detection. It does not matter if four kits were used but only one case detected." He hoped private medical practitioners would view dengue as a serious menace and use the Combo Rapid Test Kit as well as stock up enough supply.

"The increase in the number of cases and deaths by dengue must be taken seriously.

/theSUN, Bernama 28-01-2015


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Learning about the Pharmaceutical business



A quick and short remark to the question "we need to expose our students to the practice and business of the pharmaceutical Industry in the private sector. Where do I send to?"

Many people have the impression that, in Malaysia, the "big pharma boys" are the right place to go to.

Who are the "big pharma boys"? They are normally refer to, for example, GSK, Pfizer, Norvatis, Sanofi, Abbotts, Roche, Eisai ... just to name a few. Their basic operation in Malaysia, as far as I understand, is very focussed and thus confined to Regulatory, Sales and Marketing functions, which are only part of the total value chain in the pharmaceutical business.

The fact is the total business value chain, end to end, is performed by the distributors, from the point of entry into Malaysia, custom clearance of goods, product regulatory services, warehousing, inventory management, invoicing of goods purchased, credit control, logistics management, transportation of products, extension of credit terms to the customers viz: prescribers, pharmacies, hospitals and the wholesalers ... even sales and marketing ... though not exhaustive ...

The distributors have to ensure that they meet with legal requirements in their performance of services, in collaboration with the "big pharma boys" who outsourced the warehousing and distribution services to them.

Thus the "big pharma boys", in Malaysia, are thus only a part of the total value chain.

Therefore to appreciate and to understand the pharmaceutical business, broadly and in a wholesome manner, the distributors are the obvious place to go. And, attachment with the "big pharma boys", is the way to go for sharpening of knowledge and in-depth skill sets acquisitions for Regulatory, Sales & Marketing activities.

/30-01-2015

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Established Pharmaceuticals?



I was amused when I read "established pharmaceuticals". The person handed me his business card when I was introduced to him in an Industry function.

I enquired "what is this established pharmaceutical"?

The reply was "it is an off-patented innovator molecule". Hmmm ... very innovative way of saying that "it is a generic product".

He was from a R&D innovator Company and many of the Company's products had lost their patents and thus joined "thousands of other generics" in  the crowded prescription market. In order to differentiate, and for branding purposes and market share, the term "established pharmaceuticals"  was coined.

Marketers create this space to shut out other similar generic molecules in order to create a perception of different quality and of the less "elite" generis. Prescribers were told "established pharmaceuticals" are still the "originals", and thus of choice, but at lower pricings!

The term "branded generic" is still being used. However, the argument is that other generic manufacturers use the term "branded generics" as well, as their generics are also branded because of brand value creation by these manufacturers. Thus there is a need for a new term to differentiate the "original innovator products that had gone generics" according to the innovator Company.

What about "innovator generic or proprietary generics"? Why not continue to use these terms instead of "established pharmaceuticals"?

My conclusion is to "leave this to the marketer" who will confuse the market and the prescribers in order to protect and even to increase their turf size !

/29-01-2015

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ODD = Overcome, Drive and Deliver!



I participated in a meeting where the leader was reviewing the Company's past performance and her desire, to lead her Team to a better 2015.

She anticipated the year ahead to be very challenging but not insurmountable.

She shared here Vision and the need for the Team to be tenacious in overcoming issues and obstacles, real or otherwise, in order to drive the set objectives and to achieve same.

2015, even before it arrived, had been preceded with gloomy events like the "weak Malaysian Ringgit against major foreign currencies, expected low consumer demand for goods and services upon GST implementation on 1st April 2015, expected lower GDP etc" which are not conducive for business growth.

Thus, it is not easy, but, a positive mind, the right attitude and the right mind-set which will definitely be the assets to drive forward.

Someone had said "to know the future is to create the future". In reality we do not know, and can't exactly know the future. However, we can help to create the future by influencing and implementing a clear execution plan, at least to get closer, if not "reached", the "desired" future.

The Team needs to embrace and work on the said objectives for the Year. They must overcome issues and obstacles that pose challenges to the objectives. The Team must find solutions and not lose sight nor deviate from its set targets! Stay focus!

Once the solutions are found, the Team must work on the solutions in order to drive forward and, surely, delivering results.

Thus, we came out with the acronym "ODD" for the Team to focus in order to scale greater altitude to reach the summit, which is the set objectives!

The eyes must always be on the ball! FOCUS!

ODD = Overcome, Drive, Deliver !

/29-01-2015


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Most Liveable City For Expatriates: KL Ranked 16th In Asia



Singapore remains the most liveable city in Asia and the world for expatriates while Hong Kong slips to the 33rd place from 17th in the global ranking of expatriate living conditions published by ECA International.

In Asia, Kuala Lumpur and George Town both ranked 16th in Asia and 118th in the world, while Johor Baharu 21st in Asia and 126th in the world.

In 2014, Kuala Lumpur was 16th, George Town (17th) and Johor Baharu (21st) in Asia.

ECA International regional director - Asia Lee Quane said: "Good air quality, solid infrastructure, decent medical facilities, low crime and health risks have contributed to Singapore maintaining its position at the top of the global ranking for quality of living for Asian assignees".

"The fact that Singapore comes up top time and time again does make it a very attractive proposition for companies looking to set up offices in the region, particularly when conditions in Hong Kong have deteriorated a little."

Updated annually, ECA assesses 450 locations worldwide on the quality of living based on climate; availability of health services; housing and utilities; isolation; access to a social network and leisure facilities; infrastructure; personal safety; political tensions, and air quality.

Singapore is followed by Sydney and Adelaide in the ranking for Asian assignees.

In mainland China, Shanghai, ranked 110th globally, is China's most liveable city followed by Beijing (122nd).

Scores have remained steady across most Chinese locations but Chongqing and Shenzhen saw the highest improvement over the year.

In India, Bangalore, ranked 171st globally followed by Mumbai and Chennai. New Delhi (204th) is the least liveable.

Along with Beijing, Delhi has the worst score for air quality not just in Asia but globally.

In Thailand, the declaration of martial law has led to a worsening in sociopolitical scores for locations, plummeting Bangkok and Chang Mai both to the 112th spot, down from last year's 108th.
/Bernama 22-01-2015


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Hays Salary Study 2015: Malaysia - Asia



Malaysia’s employers are the second most generous in Asia in increasing salaries with almost a third adjusting salaries by 6% - 10% last year amid steady hiring demand.

The 2015 Hays Asia Salary Guide released today also showed that 43% of Malaysia’s employers will raise pay in the next review by more than six per cent, even as Malaysians are bracing for a higher cost of living when the government implements the Goods and Services Tax in April.

“Our guide shows that hiring expectations remain steady across Asia, despite the talent shortage,” Christine Wright, managing director of Hays in Asia, said in a statement today.

“Employers in all five of our surveyed countries are seeing a gap — some more significant than others — between the skills that they are looking for and the skills available in the local labour market,” she added.

Compared to 31% of Malaysia’s employers increasing salaries by 6% - 10% in the last review, only 8% of their counterparts in Singapore did so, while China topped the survey of five Asian countries with half of employers raising wages by 6% - 10%

Almost half, or 48%, of Malaysia’s employers raised pay by 3% - 6% last year, while 9% increased salaries by more than 10%, 9% gave increases of less than 3% and only 3% of employers gave no increase.

The Hays Asia Salary Guide looked at wage and recruiting trends for over 1,200 roles across Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Japan, and surveyed 2,361 employers, representing some 4 million employees.

In order to retain top performing employees, many businesses are also using benefits and bonuses as enticements, with 51% of employers across Asia saying they will award bonuses to over half of their best staff.

According to the study, 64% of Malaysia’s employers provide health benefits, a car or car allowance (58%), life assurance (47%), club or gym membership (23%), hardship allowance (20%), housing allowance (17%), pension (16%), tax equalisation (5%) and private expenses (2%).

The Hays report also found that Malaysia has the second-highest percentage of women in management positions at 34%, compared to 27% in Singapore, 36% in China, 31% in Hong Kong, and 19% in Japan.

 /themalaymail 20-01-2015

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Malaysia: Ringgit weakens after the Announcment of adjustment of Economic Tragets, 2015



The ringgit extended losses against the US dollar at close today, 20-01-2015, in line with the falling emerging Asian currencies on global economic growth concerns despite the government announcing an adjustment of economic targets.

At 5 pm, the local note was quoted at 3.6060/6730 against the greenback compared with 3.5700/5590 on Monday.

A dealer said the ringgit hit a near six-year low after the government increased its fiscal deficit target to 3.2 per cent of GDP and cut forecast economic growth and inflation this year to adjust the country’s budget after a sharp fall in earnings from oil and gas. 

“The measures are expected to keep the ringgit trading within the 3.60-3.70 range in the coming quarters,” he said.

He added that the budget revision, though realistic and considering up-to-date developments, is still exposed to global macro market risk ahead such as lower crude prices and expectations of a US interest rate hike. 

The ringgit also weakened against other major currencies.

It eased against the Singapore dollar to 2.6965/7005 from Friday’s 2.6808/6840 and depreciated against the Japanese yen to 3.0536/0574 from 3.0456/0486.
           
The local unit weakened against the British pound to 5.4256/5593 from 5.4100/4149 and depreciated against the euro to 4.1783/1828 from 4.1355/1393
 
/Bernama 20-01-2015


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