Enhancing care for Filipinos with diabetes

Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals (Philippines) Inc. has entered into a partnership agreement with Multicare Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. for the sales, marketing and distribution of its Saxagliptin and Saxagliptin + Metformin XR brands.

The agreement takes effect on May 1 which will allow said brands to have a more focused priority promotion and sustained high level of interaction with healthcare professionals.

AstraZeneca Philippines marketing director Lotis Ramin said: “We are very excited with this partnership with Multicare because it will enable us to reach more physicians and optimize value that Saxagliptin can bring to Filipino patients afflicted with diabetes. This initiative is a reinforcement to our already strong presence in the diabetes market.”

Diabetes is one of AstraZeneca’s global key priorities and the company is well-positioned, given its presence in the newest and fastest growing diabetes classes—DDP-IVi, GLP1 analog and SGLT2i.

According to AstraZeneca Philippines chief finance officer Michael Pineda: “This collaboration enables us to help even more Filipino patients with a partner who is well-established and has a strong diabetes franchise. Partnering with Multicare, one of the fastest-growing companies in the diabetes segment today, supports our vision to reach and assist more patients with type 2 diabetes.”

“We are privileged to partner with pharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca in enhancing the health of Filipinos with diabetes,” said Meneleo Hernandez Jr., Multicare Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. president. “Indeed, I believe that this strategic alliance between these two companies will optimize the exposure of these drugs with the franchise that Multicare has developed over the years with its key stakeholders in the healthcare industry by living out our principles of ‘Bringing Value to Family Healthcare,’” Hernandez added.

AstraZeneca Philippines associate medical director Dr. Emmanuel Arca said: “Our partnership with Multicare is in line with the AstraZeneca purpose of pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to as many patients as possible. AstraZeneca will continue to own the trademark, license, supply and delivery of all pharmacovigilance-related activities of the Saxagliptin brands. In addition, all medical information communicated by Multicare representatives will bear the same mark AstraZeneca is known for—high quality, scientific and evidence-based.”

Saxagliptin is a once-daily tablet for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It is used in combination with diet and exercise to control high-blood sugar levels. Saxagliptin belongs to a class of drugs known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin after a meal. Saxagliptin and Saxagliptin + Metformin XR are prescription medications and should only be used upon the advice of a doctor.