Effort on to promote liver wellness

In response to the alarming situation of chronic liver disease in the country, Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical Inc. and the Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP) signed a memorandum of agreement last Sept. 23 to promote liver wellness and awareness in the country through a fund-raising campaign.

Chronic liver disease ranks as the 10th leading cause of mortality, based on the 2000 Philippine Health Statistics. One of its recognized complications is Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM).

PEM’s significant implication includes patients with poor nutritional status before transplantation and have developed increased complications. This situation is also true in patients suffering from cirrhosis and other liver diseases.

Further, patients with liver disease and suffering from malnutrition are found to have low levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and albumin (protein) in their blood that leads to PEM. Thus, supplementation with BCAAs is recommended for these patients. 

Otsuka’s aminoleban oral is a pharmaco-nutritional supplement developed to nutritionally support patients with chronic liver disease.

This enteral formula contains amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

A study published in the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2005 revealed that oral supplementation with a BCAA-enriched preparation led patients to improved, event-free survival, improved serum albumin concentration, and better quality of life. 

Apart from these benefits, long-term administration of BCAA supplement slows down the progression of liver failure and is associated with better survival in patients with cirrhosis.

The benefits of this pharmaco-nutritional supplement led Otsuka in forming a partnership campaign with the HSP.

The agreement between Otsuka Philippines and HSP mandates that Otsuka Philippines shall donate P1 to HSP for every aminoleban oral sachet sold from January to December 2008.

Accumulated funds from the campaign will be used to support the succeeding liver information drive of HSP to the public and other healthcare workers.  

Present in the MOA signing were Otsuka Philippines president and general manager Leopoldo Dimerin and HSP’s officers and board members headed by their president, Dr. Jose Sollano Jr.

After forging its formal partnership with HSP, Otsuka awarded half of aminoleban oral’s accumulated fund from January to June of 2008 amounting to close to P100,000 to HSP to jumpstart the program.