04
The Health | january-february , 2021
| Local News |
Deal extension , additional contract for Duopharma Biotech
Duopharma Biotech Berhad announced the government has extended an agreement for the supply and delivery of human insulin products by one year , from Dec 2 , 2020 to Dec 1 , 2021 with an additional contract value of RM19.625 million .
Duopharma Biotech said the agreement was between the government , Biocon Sdn Bhd as the manufacturer , and Duopharma Marketing Sdn Bhd ( DMktg ), a wholly owned subsidiary of Duopharma Biotech , as Biocon ’ s authorised distributor / reseller .
Following this second additional contract value , the total contract value has been increased to RM410.725 million from RM300.04 million under the original agreement . The first additional contract value of RM91.06 million was in
December 2019 . As at Dec 2 , 2020 , the value of the products yet to be drawn down by the government under the agreement ( inclusive of this second additional contract value ) was RM69.08 million .
“ In the event the products are drawn down by the government , such supply to the government would contribute positively to Duopharma ’ s revenue and earnings in the financial year 2021 .
“ The company wishes to highlight that the said amendments will be formalised through the execution of a formal supplemental agreement to the agreement between the government , Biocon and DMktg at a later date ,” the company said .
Duopharma Biotech is one of the country ’ s leading pharmaceutical companies . Among its consumer healthcare products which are household names include Flavettes , Champs , Uphamol and Proviton .
In 2020 , it signed an agreement with its Korean partner , PanGen Biotech , and government-linked investment body VentureTech for the establishment of Malaysia ’ s first commercial biosimilar production facility in a move to position the country as a regional player in this growing market .
In early 2017 , Duopharma Biotech achieved a key milestone when it received accreditation as the first company to receive the Halal Malaysia certification for prescription medicines .
Prohibited health and cosmetic products seized
The Pharmacy Enforcement Division , Ministry of Health Malaysia ( MoH ) together with the State Pharmacy Branch throughout Malaysia conducted two integrated operations simultaneously on Nov 18 and Nov 23 , 2020 .
The integrated operations , called ‘ Ops Minyak ’ and ‘ Ops Kasturi ’, involved the seizure of products not registered with the Drug Control Authority ( DCA ) as well as cosmetics that are not notified by the MoH .
The total value of product seizures in both operations is estimated to be RM350,000 involving raids on 37 well-known supermarket chains and also 33 grocery stores in business areas throughout Malaysia .
A total of 207 types of items seized include products not registered with DCA as well cosmetics that are not notified by MoH , which includes hand sanitizer products .
The public is advised to be careful when buying or using health products and cosmetics in the market . Such products need to be sourced from legitimate sources only . Consumers should always be vigilant when purchasing health products at social sites or online to avoid the risk of getting an unregistered product , counterfeit products or mixed with scheduled poisons or un-notified cosmetics which can be detrimental to the health and lives of consumers .
Consumers should also constantly check for product labels and ensure the health products sold have hologram stickers and Product Registration Numbers ( MAL ), in addition to ensuring that the cosmetics sold are notified .
Yi-Lai invents Malaysia ’ s first antivirus tiles
Bursa Malaysia-listed tiles manufacturer Yi-Lai Berhad ( Yi-Lai ) has successfully come up with yet another ground-breaking product -- the first antivirus tiles in Malaysia .
With an innovative coating technology , Yi-Lai has successfully invented a unique next-generation antivirus tiles -- a design choice that creates an enhanced surface which could not only deliver 24 / 7 antiviral protection for life , but also help reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread .
Yi-Lai Executive Director Au Yee Boon said : « Following our official launch of Talos Living Tiles - Malaysia ’ s first negative ion tiles to improve indoor air quality - in September 2020 , our Group has gone one step further by now offering the country ’ s first tile with antivirus surfaces .”
Notably , it is demonstrated that Yi-Lai ’ s muchanticipated antivirus tiles could effectively eliminate contagious viruses , with various tests being performed on the H1N1 influenza A viruses showing a very desirable antivirus activity rate .
According to the analysis and test results by Guangdong Detection Center of Microbiology ( Gmicro ), an independent product testing and certification company based in China , the infectivity titre value has dropped significantly after contacting with Yi-Lai ’ s antivirus tiles .
Sample and test specimen have also been sent to Germany for further laboratory tests , which will be carried out by HygCen Germany GmbH , an accredited and internationally renowned testing lab for hygiene and biocidal activity .
Au expects antivirus tiles to become the next major trend in the property industry in the coming years . “ As people become more health conscious and mindful about their safety and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic , we foresee that there will be a huge demand for antivirus tiles in Malaysia in the next few years ,” he commented .
Au also highlights that antivirus tiles are already gaining traction in many European countries such as Italy , Spain and Austria , as these products can be found in not just residential property , but also hospital and pharmacy , gym and fitness centres , as well as restaurants and commercial property .
Considering that antivirus tiles are materials that could provide enormous health and hygiene benefits , he believed that developers , designers , contractors and house owners will make a more forward-looking choices for their buildings .