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Mar 17, 2015 - serve as a platform for awareness on the im- portant role of social media in promoting and advocating for Philippine health and health research ...
ASEAN-NDI LINK

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January - March 2015 Inside this issue: NVI initiates ASEAN collaboration

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Proposition of a monograph

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Microneedles Technology

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Situational

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Assessment The importance of genetic counselors

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Global Forum 2015

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33rd PCHRD

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Anniversary

ASEAN - NDI LOGO ASEAN - NDI is designed to operate in a hub-and-spokes model. The outer circles (blue) signify the 10 member states bonded by the spirit of solidarity and cooperation (gray circle). The overall blue shade of the logo suggests peace, stability, and health security. The network is meant to ensure that health technology development and the capacity of member states are appropriately maximized and managed according to regional health needs.

Volume 2, Issue 1

ISSN 2362 - 8855

Philippines underscores role of social media on healthcare Sabrina Arra P. Elechosa Science Research Specialist II, Institution Development Division, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development

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he challenges and opportunities of using social media to improve the healthcare system was highlighted during the 1st Philippine Summit on Social Media and Healthcare held last 21 February 2015 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City. The event was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOSTPCHRD) in collaboration with the HealthXPH and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA). With the theme “Synergies in Social Media an Healthcare,” the summit aims to serve as a platform for awareness on the important role of social media in promoting and advocating for Philippine health and health research programs, and to establish a community of social media users and influencers who can help in the promotion of health research programs. Dr. Pat Rich of the Canadian Medical Association, the event’s featured speaker, shared how social media can be used as a tool for healthcare advocacy and campaigns by citing his country’s practices. Considering the current status of the use of social media in the country’s healthcare system, Dr. Rich is confident that its advantages will soon be

maximized. The event also featured simultaneous sessions on the implications of social media on the protection of patient privacy and confidentiality, health promotion, health professions education, and sharing of patient stories. The Social Media and Medical Professionalism: A Manifesto from #HealthXPH was released upon signing of the document by its four founders - Dr. Remo Aguilar (Orthopedic Surgeon, South Central Mindanao), Dr. Gia Sison (Consultant, Makati Medical Center), Dr. Iris Thiele Isip Tan (Chief, University of the Philippines Medical Informatics Unit) and Dr. Narciso Tapia (Research Coordinator, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center). The Summit was convened through the weekly tweet chat organized by the founders dubbed as #HealthXPH. It brought together 400 local and international healthcare practitioners and patients to discuss the impact of technology and social media on healthcare. Dr. Jaime C. Montoya (Executive Director, PCHRD), Dr. Minerva Calimag (President, Philippine Medical Association) and Dr. Noel Pingoy (Consultant, General Santos Doctors Hospital) were also present at the Summit.

Fig. 1. (a) Dr. Helen Madamba, Dr. Remo Aguilar, Dr. Gia Sison, Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan, Dr. Narciso Tapia, Ms. Merlita Opeña (from left to right); (b) The signed #HealthXPh Manifesto (Photos taken by Mubarak Pangandaman).

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ASEAN - NDI LINK

NVI initiates ASEAN collaboration for regional vaccine security Yothin Thanormwat National Vaccine Institute (Public Organization)

Fig. 1. “Workshop among ASEAN Countries on Opportunity for Regional Vaccine Security” opening ceremony. (from left) Dr. Suriya Wongkonkathep, SOMHD Thailand Representative; Dr. Georges Thiry, Deputy Director-General, IVI; Dr. Yonas Tegegn, WHO Representative - Thailand; Dr. Narongsakdi Aungkasuvapala; Mr. Stephane Guichard, Regional Advisor, WHO-SEARO; Dr. Sergey Diorditsa, Expanded Programme on Immunization, WHO-WPRO.

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total of 78 attendees from eight countries in South East Asia and other related international and national organizations convened at Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket, Thailand last 1-3 October 2014 to participate in the “Workshop among ASEAN Countries on Opportunities for Regional Vaccine Security”. The National Vaccine Institute (NVI), in close partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), have shared a serious concern on the importance of vaccine security and worked together in initiating this workshop. The workshop aims to provide a forum for ASEAN countries to explore opportunities and feasibilities for development cooperation in improving long-term vaccine security in the region.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Narongsakdi Aungkasuvapala, advisor to the Minister of Public Health, Thailand, together with representatives from WHO, International Vaccine Institute (IVI), and Ministry of Public Health, Thailand (Fig 1). Workshop participants included country delegates responsible for vaccine research and development, production, regulation, and immunization programme from South East Asian countries namely, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Guest speakers came from various organizations i.e., WHO, Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD) and ASEAN Experts Group on Communicable Diseases (AEGCD), IVI, ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics,

Vaccines, and Traditional Medicine Innovation (ASEAN -NDI), Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN), Ministry of Health Sri-Lanka and Thailand, Thailand Center of Excellent for Life Sciences (TCELS), and NVI. The workshop ended with participants agreeing to work on an achievable goal of regional vaccine security. Group discussions (Fig. 2) revealed four potential areas of collaboration as briefly discussed below: (1 ) System Development for vaccine security aims to develop effective vaccine security policies in the region. An additional ASEAN network may be needed to accomplish short- and longterm goals. (2 ) Human Resource Development (HRD) aims to produce sufficient and efficient vaccine technical staffs for vaccine development and immunization. To meet the

strategy for HRD plan, it is necessary to designate a clear blueprint of curriculum and proposal for the establishment of an “ASEAN School of Vaccines and Biopharmaceuticals”. ( 3 ) ASEAN Price Policy for Vaccines aims to generate reference price for vaccines in ASEAN countries to reduce vaccine purchasing price, allow easy access and ensure continuous supply of vaccines. Also, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on “pooled procurement” should be harmonized within the region. (4) Communication and Coordination aims to develop appropriate tools, or channels for effective communication and coordination among ASEAN countries. These platforms will serve as a neutral media in sharing information and raising awareness on the importance of vaccine security, selfreliance, vaccination, and procurement in the region.

Fig. 2. An intense atmosphere of brainstorming session through break-out group discussion on the important issues involving ASEAN collaboration for regional vaccine security.

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Volume 2, Issue 1

Proposition of a monograph of Andrographis paniculata (burm.f.) Wall. Ex Nees in Cambodia Dr. Sokchamroeun Uy1, Mr. Philippe Bessioud2, Dr. Bernard Fabre2, Dr. Anne Mandeau2, Prof. Isabelle Fourestiere3, Prof. Sun Kaing Cheng1, Ph.D. Sothea Kim1. 1 Phytochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh. 2 Pierre Fabre Research Institute, Toulouse, France. 3 Committee Member of the European Pharmacopoeia of Medicinal Plants.

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he plant Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees is a medicinal plant well known and highly commercialized in the Asian region for its therapeutic activities. This plant is used by traditional healers for the treatment of several diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, fever, cough, sore throat, stomatitis, insomnia, helminthiasis, flatulence, typhoid fever and fatigue. With its several applications in Cambodia, the control and use of this plant is necessary and can be made by standardizing its uses through the creation of a monograph. The Phytochemistry Laboratory of the University of Heath Sciences, Cambodia is currently working on the standardization of the plant and the creation of a monograph. A total of 16 samples of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees were collected from the province of Kampong Chhnang, from the botanical garden of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Phnom Penh, and from the herbal medicine shop around Phnom Penh. Physical (color reactions, morphological, macroscopic and microscopic analyses) and chemical examinations such as thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed.

Fig. 1: The different parts of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees. Photos taken at Phytochemistry of Faculty of Pharmacy in Phnom Penh by the authors (from left to right: whole plant; leaf; flower; young fruit; ripe fruit; roots)

In the thin layer chromatography, the mobile phase used was chloroform: toluene: methanol, (65: 25: 15 v/v/v). The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) had been developed and validated based on the criteria of the International Conference on Harmonization of technical requirements for registration of pharmaceuticals for human (ICH). The HPLC conditions were as follows: mobile phase: acetonitrile: water (60:40, v/v), column: Inertsil C18 (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at ambient temperature, flow rate: 1 ml/min, detector: 225 nm with PDA (see Fig. 2). The content of andrographolide among 16 batches studied ranged from 0.31 to 1.71%. This variation is due to several factors such as homogeneity of collection, the environment, the region and the harvest period. We determined a greater content of andrographolide in the leaves (3.45 %) than in the stem (0.96%). This study also showed the absence of andrographolide in the root. The monograph of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees in three languages (Khmer, French and English) will be proposed in the national pharmacopoeia of medicinal plants of Cambodia.

Fig. 2: Chromatogram showing the presence of andrographolide in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees.

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ASEAN - NDI LINK

Microneedles Technology for Drug and Vaccine Delivery

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Kakanand Srungboonmee, Ph.D. Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University

he concept of microneedles as an alternative means for drug and vaccine delivery has been established only for a few decades as the growth of this field relies greatly on the development of microfabrication technology. Its advantage over hypodermic needles is painless application since the microneedles penetrate only the upper layer of skin without reaching the nerves. The delivered medication can be either coated on the microneedles (i.e. coated microneedles) or dissolved in the microneedles (i.e. dissolving microneedles). Arrays of microneedles are usually fabricated on a small patch. This patch-based delivery meth-

od of vaccination can simply increase the rate of vaccine accessibility due to its convenience and userfriendliness. Microneedles technology is ideal for vaccine delivery particularly in r e m o t e a r e a s w h er e healthcare staffs are insufficient. There are many microfabrication laboratories in ASEAN that manufacture microneedles. One of them is MEMS and Nanotechnology Lab at the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand (http:// www.mnems.eng.chula.ac.th) . The laboratory is available for those who are interested in collaboration in making drug or vaccine delivery microneedle patches, particularly for the ASEAN

2 mm Fig. 1. Silk fibroin microneedles with trypan blue solution as the drug model. (Picture courtesy of MEMS and Nanotechnology Lab, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand).

community. Figure 1 shows an example of a microneedle product from the laboratory, made with silk fibroin microneedles. It is the dissolving microneedle type made of Thai silk fibroin which is biocompatible and biodegradable.

Situational Assessment of the Upper Paunglaung Hydropower Project in Myanmar Mie Mie Kyaw, Ph.D. Department of Zoology, University of Pathein, Ministry of Education, and ASEAN-U.S. Science and

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owadays, Myanmar faces a lot of challenges in uplifting the health care standards in resettlement areas of hydropower projects. Focusing in the upper Paunglaung Hydropower project, the assessment showed that unavailability of safe drinking water and absence of systematic health care system have become a big problem during the transition period. Also, even before the relocation phase, local inhabitants experienced difficulties in leaving their old houses

because the water level in the reservoir reaches about 372 meters high. With the help of the Ministry of Electric Power, old houses were cleared and the compensation for the inhabitants were fairly given in adherence to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy. Inhabitants received just compensation that enabled them to rebuild their new homes in the relocation site. Aside from financial concerns, it is also important to ensure that effective health care system is provided to

Fig. 1. Actual interview with the inhabitants in the resettlement area in Upper Paunglaung Hydropower Project in Myanmar. (Picture courtesy of the author)

the inhabitants. Healthcare infrastructure including both medical facilities and human resources were made available to the people. Myanmar has four main rivers, which are potential areas for future constructions of hydropower plants, thus, assessment of the current situation of the inhabitants before and after resettlement is vital. This assessment may serve as baseline information to identify factors to consider prior to building another hydropower project.

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ASEAN - NDI LINK

The Importance of Genetic Counselors in Asia Mercy Laurino, MS Licensed Genetic Counselor University of the Philippines Manila

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atients identified to have genetic conditions are understandably noted to be one of the most vulnerable patient populations. As such, access and availability of support from trained health care professionals such as genetic counselors is a must – not just for the benefit of the patient but for their respective families as well. The urgent need to have genetic counselors as crucial members of the health care team is also highlighted based on the increasing application of genomic knowledge as part of medical care. Briefly, genetic counselors are health care providers with specialized training in medical genetics and psychosocial counseling. During genetic counseling consultation visits, they provide risk assessment and counseling based on the patient’s medical and family history, as well as utilizing any existing populationbased empiric risk estimates and results from clinical genetic testing. Traditionally, genetic counselors work with a multidisciplinary team of providers such as clinical pediatric and adult geneticists, medical oncologist, neurologists, social workers, nutritionists, as well as others. In Asia, genetic counseling related initiatives will include the creation of a professional society of ge-

netic counselors in order to foster clinical and research collaboration, improve access and delivery of services, as well as an opportunity to standardize curricula development in training future genetic counselors in the region. Currently, genetic counseling training programs are available in the Philippines, Korea, Japan, India, Taiwan and efforts are ongoing in other countries to establish their own programs. While the majority of practicing genetic counselors around the world are trained at a master’s post-graduate level, some have a diploma or certificate in genetic counseling. Indeed, addressing

the need to increase the number of competent genetic counselors practicing in Asia moves forward the commitment to integrate medical genetics into the general health services in

every country. This important effort is forwarded while being cognizant to the various social, cultural, religious and health care systems in the region.

Fig. 1. First batch of Genetic Counseling students in the Philippines.

Fig. 2. Genetic Counseling Session process. The patient’s medical and family medical history is reviewed. Based on this information, genetics education, recurrence risk assessment and psychosocial counseling is provided. In partnership with medical professionals, prognosis and follow-up medical recommendations are given to the patient and/or family members.

ASEAN - NDI LINK

The Council on Health Research and Development (COHRED), in partnership with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), will host the Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health in Manila, from 24 - 27 August 2015. Forum 2015 aims to identify solutions to the world’s unmet health needs through research and innovation. It will provide a platform where low and middle income countries take prime position in defining the global health research agenda, in presenting solutions and in creating effective partnerships for action. For more details, please visit our website at www.forum2015.org.

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) is celebrating its 33rd Anniversary on 17 March 2015 at Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Makati City, Philippines. With the theme, “ASEAN Integration: Challenges and Opportunities for Health Research and Innovation,” the Council is inviting academicians, researchers, health workers, and interested public to come and be part of its celebration. ASEAN Integration 2015 aims to eliminate barriers for free mobilization of resources, manpower, infrastructure, livelihood and products to build a strong S&T base for the region. Expected regional benefits include easy information dissemination and transfer of technology, development of human resources, sustainable economic growth, protection and utilization of regional resources and harmonization of disaster mitigation technologies, products and services. The event seeks to inform our stakeholders of how ASEAN Integration impacts on health research and innovation and ultimately on the health of Filipinos. It will highlight the challenges and opportunities that it will bring henceforth. For more information, you can send your inquiries to [email protected].

Editorial Board: Jaime C. Montoya, M.D., Ph.D. Carina L. Rebulanan, M.S. Maria Ruth B. Pineda-Cortel, Ph.D. Merlita M. Opeña Ullyann C. Garcia Kakanand Srungboonmee, Ph.D. Contributors: Anne Mandeau Sabrina Arra P. Elechosa Bernard Fabre Isabelle Fourestiere Mie Mie Kyaw, Ph.D. Kakanand Srungboonmee, Ph.D. Philippe Bessioud Sokchamroeun Uy, Ph.D. Sothea Kim Sun Kaing Cheng

Contact details: ASEAN - NDI Secretariat Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) Institution Development Division Department of Science and Technology Room 306 3rd Floor Main Building General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines 1631 Phone: +632-837-7534 or 37 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Website: www.asean-ndi.org

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