Mylan, one of the world’s leading global pharmaceutical companies, in association with the Hepatology Society of Philippines (HSP), launched an awareness campaign for HepatitisC in the country.
The BEATHepC (Become educated, aware, tested and treated) campaign aims at spreading awareness about the disease. It will include dissemination of information through pamphlets and promoting screening among Filipinos at risk.
The Department of Health (DoH) estimates that around 1% of the Filipino population has chronic hepatitis C1.
According to the 2010 study on Global Burden of Disease by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, viral hepatitis causes 1 million deaths each year in the Asia Pacific region.
Hepatitis C is endemic in the Philippines and there is a lack of awareness about viral hepatitis and its transmission, prevention, screening, and management among patients, public, and healthcare providers.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Jade Jamias, Liver Specialist and President of HSP said, “Chronic Hepatitis C infection may lead to serious complications such a cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. Early detection is key to treatment and prevention of liver disease progression. The positive news is that treatment for this disease is now easily accessible to all.”
Ester Tacanay, country manager of Mylan in Philippines, said: “Hepatitis C is a chronic public health concern in the Philippines. At Mylan Philippines we are committed to provide access to medicine for treatment of hepatitis C with the objective of reducing the disease burden.”
Mylan’s BEATHepC campaign supports the National Viral Hepatitis Task Force (NVHTF)2 to eliminate or significantly decrease the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the Philippines.
Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in healthcare. Working together around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and service excellence a habit; do what’s right, not what’s easy; and impact the future through passionate global leadership. Learn more at Mylan.com. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at investor.mylan.com.
The Hepatology Society of the Philippines is a non-governmental organization. It is the only liver society recognized by the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology and Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy. For further information, visit www.hsp.org.ph
