The pharmaceutical companies received the Supply Chain Initiative of the Year, Hospital Partnership of the Year, and the Most Differentiated Service of the Year awards. This marks the first time for native Philippine pharmaceutical brands to have won in these categories. The brands are active proponents in the importation, registration, and supply of healthcare products in the Philippines.

I.E. Medica and MedEthix executives, Monaliza Balnig Salian, co-founder, president, and CEO, and Ma. Victoria P. Sugapong, COO, accepted the awards on behalf of the pharma group.

In her acceptance speech, Monaliza B. Salian said, “The Philippine pharmaceutical industry is heavily dependent on importation; thus, we continuously look for ways to improve our supply chain operations. As a young pharma group, I.E. Medica and MedEthix are aware of the overwhelming need of our countrymen for quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare solutions—and so we will continue to respond to these unmet needs, as Filipinos, for the Filipinos.”

Salian’s acceptance speech in the prestigious awards program is a fitting capstone to the young local pharma group’s contribution to easing the burden of healthcare for Filipinos. The awards conferred by the respected regional publication Healthcare Asia magazine put I.E. Medica and MedEthix in the league of outstanding pharma companies in Asia and the Pacific that have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence and have redefined pharmaceutical excellence.

I.E. Medica: Implementing enhanced end-to-end supply chain operations that could enhance the nation’s healthcare product supply chain requirements

I.E. Medica is driven to continuously improve its supply chain operations to comply with Philippine Customs Administration import guidelines: from obtaining the Super Green Lane certificate in 2017 to having demonstrated its initial compliance with the cargo security risk management framework required for accreditation as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Importer.

The company is also on track to securing the Level 1 AEO Certification, affirming its observance of supply chain security standards and the benefits of improved accessibility to healthcare goods brought about by streamlined import-export systems across borders, ultimately benefiting Filipinos and earning it the Supply Chain Initiative of the Year award.

MedEthix: Introducing a game-changing COVID-19 treatment in the country

The impact of COVID-19 has been widespread, with its magnitude affecting the stability of social, economic, and political structures in many countries. It has particularly challenged national healthcare systems and their capacity to respond to large-scale outbreaks.

Filipino pharmaceutical company MedEthix went beyond its way as the first importer to secure its first four (4) hospital partners from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the compassionate special permit (CSP) for Molnupiravir. This oral drug is indicated for mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 infection, enabling the standard of care to go beyond the confines of the overstretched hospital wards into the comforts of the patient’s home.

MedEthix further expanded the distribution of Molnupiravir from the first 4 CSP grantees to over 80 health institutions and over 500 doctors across the country as soon as it successfully secured the Emergency Use Authorization from the regulatory authority. Healthway QualiMed, the hospital network of AC Health, played a valuable role in its success. The hospital network, along with I.E. Medica and MedEthix, are partners of AC Health. The expanded access to affordable alternative treatment for COVID-19 greatly benefited Filipinos during the pandemic and earned the company the Hospital Partnership and The Most Differentiated Service of the Year awards.

A commitment to every Filipino

As the recipients of the three prestigious awards for the pharma category in the Philippines, I.E. Medica and MedEthix remain committed to providing a wide range of products that cover almost all therapeutic areas to meet the ever-changing healthcare needs of Filipinos.

As the men and women of I.E. Medica and MedEthix interact with doctors, retail outlets, distributors, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and consumers daily, the hallmark of excellence exemplified by the three awards continues to inspire them to make a difference in the lives of their countrymen.

On the same day, Healthway also launched its Women’s Center, with its flagship facility – the Iloilo Fertility and Reproductive Care Center (IFER). Women’s Health is one of the priority programs under Healthway’s Connected Care Circles, which offer a unique model of integrated multi-disciplinary team care based on global best practices. The Healthway Women’s Health program was developed with the support of I.E. Medica, a major importer of pharmaceutical products also within the AC Health portfolio. Through the program, Healthway addresses all aspects of a woman’s health – screening, diagnostics, and treatment.

The first of its kind in Western Visayas, IFER serves as the hub for fertility and reproductive needs of women and families. It is a one-stop shop, offering advanced diagnostics and interventions, including intrauterine insemination, in-vitro fertilization fertility banking.

“Women’s Health is integral to our vision of Connected Care Circles. Through all of our Women’s Health Centers across our Healthway Medical network, we are able to provide seamless, coordinated, and cost-effective care in response to the complex and unique health needs of women,” said Paolo Borromeo, President and CEO of AC Health.

“Care Beyond Cure,” HMN’s brand promise conveys its innovative model of care. Margaret Bengzon, Healthway QualiMed Group COO, explained “Today, as we launch our Healthway Medical Network brand, we reaffirm our commitment to human-centric care – integrated care that leverages the entire HMN network in responding to the full range of our patient’s needs.”

Also present during the event were local government and Iloilo province officials. In attendance were Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Head, Business Development and Digital Ventures of Ayala Corporation; and Jaime Z. Urquijo, Vice President, Business Development of ACEN Corporation, as well as leaders from AC Health and the Healthway Medical Netwok.

Throughout the year, HMN also plans to open three more multispecialty centers in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, expanding the Healthway Medical Network to a total of 15 outpatient centers by the end of 2023.