| Foreign News |
MAY-JUNE , 2022 | THE HEALTH
07
Saving legs , changing lives
PERIPHERAL Artery Disease , or PAD , is a leading cause of amputations in the US . But the disease can be silent , so millions of Americans , especially in the black community , don ’ t know they have it .
Johnson & Johnson ’ s Janssen unit hopes to change that with its new “ Save Legs . Change Lives . Spot Peripheral Artery Disease Now ” initiative .
In April , Johnson & Johnson ( J & J ) unveiled the multiyear campaign at the American College of Cardiology conference in Washington , D . C . It is part of J & J ’ s broader US $ 100 million “ Our Race to Health Equity ” initiative , which is aimed at “ eradicating racial and social injustice as a public health threat .”
The campaign notes that PAD disproportionately impacts black Americans , who are twice as likely as whites to have the disease and are up to four times more likely to lose a limb .
The chronic condition causes the blood vessels to narrow ,
ON MARCH 31 , the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) released the meeting report of “ WHO Expert Meeting on Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ) in the Treatment of Covid- 19 ” on its official website .
The report acknowledged that based on clinically relevant outcome measures , the studied TCMs are beneficial in treating Covid-19 , particularly in mild-tomoderate cases .
WHO encourages member states to consider integrating traditional medicine interventions such as TCM in planning for the clinical management of Covid-19 in reducing blood flow to the limbs , especially the legs . While 8.5 million people in the US have been diagnosed with PAD , as many as 20 million may have it , according to J & J .
“ Tragically , PAD amputations are directly correlated to an increased risk of death ,” said Richard Browne , M . D ., Janssen ’ s Medical Director of Cardiovascular Strategy . He said an alarming 70 per cent of people who have leg amputations due to PAD die within three years .
The main symptom of the disease is leg pain when walking , but it ’ s asymptomatic in 40 per cent of patients . Left untreated , it can lead to heart attack , stroke or amputation .
Treating Covid-19 with Traditional Chinese Medicine
the context of their healthcare systems and regulatory framework .
The report pointed out that in treating Covid-19 , there are promising data to suggest that TCM is beneficial in reducing the risk of progression from mild-to-moderate cases to severe Covid-19 . When administered as add-on interventions to conventional treatment , TCM may shorten the time for viral clearance , resolution of clinical symptoms , and length of hospital stay compared to conventional treatment alone .
Member States are encouraged to consider the
However , a simple test known as the ABI , or Ankle Brachial Index , can catch the disease . The screening takes about 10 to 15 minutes and involves taking blood pressure readings in a person ’ s arm and leg and comparing them .
As part of the campaign , Janssen has rolled out its “ empower PAD ” mobile health unit to bring the test into local communities . Janssen is also collaborating with health organisations like the American Heart Association , which is working to reduce amputations by 20 per cent by 2030 and is developing a “ Save Legs ” campaign website where patients can find resources about disease .
potential use of TCM for the management of Covid-19 in the context of their healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks ; share experiences and lessons , particularly those actively acquired through this organised research programme in TCM and clinical experience from China .
Yu Wenming , head of China ’ s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine , said China is willing to assist the other WHO Member States in strengthening the role of traditional medicine in their health systems .
Briefs
INEX Innovate marks its first Financial Times ranking
EMERGING from the National University of Singapore ( NUS ), INEX Innovate is a Singaporebased molecular diagnostics developer and medical laboratory operator .
The company was founded by a team of specialists in fetomaternal care and women ’ s oncology and is uniquely positioned to identify and address the clinically unmet needs within the women ’ s and foetal health landscape across Asia .
Chief Executive , Kane Black ( pix ) remarked : “ To be recognised by the Financial Times as one of Asia Pacific ’ s Fastest Growth companies , and the 7th Fastest Growing Health Care companies across Asia- Pacific , is a testament to the INEX team ’ s dedication and commitment to advancing healthcare for women in Asia .
Backed by institutional investors , the company focuses on developing and translating technologies that aim to deliver precision healthcare for women in Asia . It may well be one of the more significant unicorns to emanate from Singapore .
With expansion plans also underway across Southeast Asia , EU , the United Kingdom and the United States , INEX is eyeing an IPO on the Singapore Exchange ( SGX ) later this year .
Strong digital health growth powers MediHeroes
MEDIHEROES launched a “ Verify Before Buy ” platform , especially for suppliers , buyers and service providers in the MedTech industry , on April 15 , 2022 .
A transformative industry platform , MediHeroes helps buyers and sellers save months to years with credentials validations and go-to-market services .
Asia is increasingly becoming a global Medtech hub of Manufacturers , Hardware Suppliers , Distributors and Technology Service Providers . Medical procurement is highly meticulous and timeintensive . This is all the more important in a growing digital health space where data accuracy and security is as critical as the authenticity of medical devices .
MediHeroe ’ s unique onboarding , searching , and algorithmic matching enable buyers and sellers to sieve massive information . Members can save months to years of precious time finding quality medical supplies and services .
Founder and CEO of MediHeroes Joanne Lee said : “ Building a system for buyers to “ Verify Before Buy ” builds Trust in the marketplace , fulfilling MediHeroes vision to help quality medical product suppliers become true Heroes ”.
Moderna ’ s Covid-19 shots for kids under six
MODERNA ’ S Covid-19 vaccine works in babies , toddlers and preschoolers , the company announced on March 23 , 2022 , a development that could pave the way for the littlest kids to be vaccinated by summer if regulators agree .
Moderna said it would ask regulators in the US and Europe to authorise two small-dose shots for youngsters under six . The company also seeks to have larger doses cleared for older children and teens in the US .
The announcement is positive news for parents anxiously awaiting protection for younger tots who have been continuously disappointed by setbacks and confusion over which shots might work and when . The nation ’ s 18 million children under five are the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination .
“ The vaccine provides the same protection against Covid in young kids as it does in adults . We think that ’ s good news ,” Dr Stephen Hoge , Moderna ’ s President , told The Associated Press .
Competitor Pfizer currently offers kid-size doses for school-age children and full-strength shots for those 12 and older . And the company is testing even smaller doses for children under five but had to add a third shot to its study when two didn ’ t prove strong enough .
Parents may find it confusing that Moderna is seeking to vaccinate the youngest children before it ’ s cleared to vaccinate teens . While other countries already have allowed Moderna ’ s shots to be used in children as young as six , the US has limited its vaccine to adults .
The FDA hasn ’ t ruled on Moderna ’ s earlier request to expand its shots to 12- to 17-year-olds because of concern about a very rare side effect . Heart inflammation sometimes occurs in teens and young adults , mostly males , after receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines . — The Health