Biopharmaceutical leader Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. (Takeda Philippines) receives the Inspirational Brand Award by the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022 Regional Edition for its continuous commitment to helping patients in underserved communities access the medicines they need.

Established in 2007 by the Enterprise Asia, APEA 2022 honors exemplary business leaders and enterprises across Asia, which excelled and demonstrated resilience and growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the 25 exemplary business leaders recognized was Takeda Philippines, a patient-focused, values-based, R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company, that has been aiding the Philippine healthcare and Filipino patients for more than 50 years. The company has been a vital catalyst in bridging the gap of access to medicine and vaccines, providing educational grants and medical training, and conducting patient assistance programs.

In early 2022, Takeda launched its “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma” campaign which aims to raise awareness about lymphoma and improve access to treatments in the Philippines by providing free testing to patients. Likewise, the initiative heeds the call for medical stakeholders to come together and work towards a cancer-free Philippines as mandated by Republic Act 11215 otherwise known as the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) of 2019.

Supported by various organizations from the health sector, the campaign was able to provide free cancer testing to over 60 patients, in partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society – and is currently in partnership with the PHAP Cares foundation the social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines to continue this endeavor.

The company also partnered with the Philippine Society of Pathologists where over 1,700 attendees from the society were able to participate in several webinars which focused on diagnosing lymphoma and inflammatory disease. As the company furthers its commitment to supporting healthcare workers through a multisectoral approach, it also partnered with the Health Futures Inc Foundation in training more than 6,900 oncology nurses and 5,600 endoscopy nurses on topics related to oncology, inflammatory bowel disease related to targeted and biologic approaches to treatment.

Through its Patient Assistance Program, Takeda granted financial assistance to over 500 patients in the Philippines, helping them complete their treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

In addition, the company also extended support to expand cancer research in the Philippines by donating an initial grant of USD16,000 to Cancer Registry and Research Philippines Foundation (CARE PH).

In 2020, Takeda launched an Access to Innovative Medicines Program designed to improve access to the care and treatment of patients, utilizing a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to improving access, addressing not only barriers across the patient journey but also spearheading initiatives to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

“We are honored to have received this award from APEA. This recognition has motivated us, even more, to continue the mission of improving and advocating for the healthcare system in the Philippines, particularly for cancer and rare diseases. We dedicate this to our partners and patients towards better health and a brighter future,” shared Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda in the Philippines.

The company looks forward to improving access to medicines and vaccines via the introduction of other oncology drugs and a dengue vaccine in the Philippines, supporting the advocacy of patient organizations for the localization of the NICCA, and continued policy advocacy to the government for Health Technology Assessment and Formulary inclusion of innovative drugs for cancer and rare diseases.