Palonosetron (Paloxi) , a new anti-emetic drug from Kalbe Farma

Symposium “The 1st Tulip Oncology Summit 2006” with the topic of “From Basic to Clinic: Empowering Translational Research” was held at Sheraton Hotel Yogyakarta on April 15-16, 2006. There were around 400 participants who consist of oncologists, general physicians and medical students.
There were several interesting topics delivered, such as the new medicine Palonosetron introduced by Dr. Zakitman Jack, SpPD-HKOM and sponsored by PT. Kalbe Farma with the topic of “A Novel 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist for Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting”.

Hereby explained that nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy mostly is caused by the release of serotonin on the gastrointestinal mucosa, therefore the standard treatment for nausea and vomiting is based upon the serotonin antagonist. The anti-emetics from the class of serotonin antagonist which are currently available on the market do not have optimal effectivity. Therefore, PT Kalbe Farma marketed the most recent anti-emetic of serotonin antagonist class called Palonosetron. There are several advantages of Palonosetron from its pharmacological side, which has longer half life (up to 40 hours) therefore only needed once on the first day of chemotherapy with the effectivity up to days 5 and 6. Thus this can prevent the occurrence of nausea and vomiting acutely for the first 24 hours after chemotherapy up to 120 hours afterwards.
On the clinical trial phase III, Palonosetron 0.25mg compared with other serotonin antagonist such as Ondansetron and Dolasetron on the standard dose, Palonosetron has similar effectivity equal to those two drugs to prevent the side effects of nausea and vomiting within the first 24 hours. However, it is more effective after the first 24 hours of chemotherapy up to day 5 preventing the moderate and high emetogenic effect of chemotherapy.
In Indonesia, Palonosetron will launch soon with brand name: Paloxi

Media Workshop & Testimonial Book Launch PROMAG MULIA

Welfare deterioration of lower socio-economic status community and the success of pioneer PROMAG MULIA Program (2005) underlie PT Kalbe Farma Tbk to keep instituting amateur entrepreneurship trainings in 6 cities (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Makassar, Medan and Lampung). These trainings provide professional entrepreneurship knowledge of the ManagementQolbuTrainingCenter whose chair is KH Abdullah Gymnastiar from Darul Tauhid Bandung. This is the news of press release together with the Testimonial Book Launch titled “Jangan Jadi Pengusaha Bila Tidak Berani Memulai (Don’t Be An Entrepreneur If You Don’t Dare To Start)” in JakartaApril 13, 2006.
(picture: Mr Johannes Setijono with Aa Gym)

The pioneer PROMAG MULIA Program (Membangun Usaha Lewat Ilmu dan Ahklak/Establishing Business With Knowledge and Morality) attracted 20 participants from 5 cities. This exhibited the enthusiasm and expertise, furthermore motivating a book to be written, titled “Jangan Jadi Pengusaha Bila Tidak Berani Memulai” (Don’t Be An Entrepreneur If You Don’t Dare To Start). This book is a consolidation of experiences and tips to be shared by the participants for the community. This book can be obtained at the bookstores which sell Aa Gym books.

Mr. Johannes Setijono as the President Director of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk stated that: “We cannot imagine how many amateur entrepreneurs who try to build their own business independently and how big their success contributes to the Indonesian economy and welfare. Therefore, PROMAG MULIA intends to help to expand their businesses until they become durable and competitive professional entrepreneurs. With the provided assistance given, hopefully the number of entrepreneurs will be increasing year-by-year”.

This program is aimed for amateur entrepreneurs from B, C and D class with the age range of 18-30 years old, healthy, have their own business, passed the test and interview which were held in several cities.

KH Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa Gym) as the chair of “Management QolbuTrainingCenter” stated that “Success is not something for granted but have to be earned with enthusiasm. Only entrepreneurs with good morality will be a great leader, and if there are more people with good morality then this nation will be a great nation”.

The training packages provided by PROMAG MULIA program was compiled by MQ. It is very concentrated so it requires prime health of the participants. In order to understand the allocated program, at the event of April 13, 2006, several journalists were invited to participate on the events which are held frequently by PROMAG MULIA. After this event, there were books distribution with the autograph of Mr. Johannes and Aa Gym.

PIRA Indonesian Award 2006
Recently PROMAG MULIA program won International Public Relation Association / PIRA-Indonesian Award 2006 as the best CSR Programme (Corporate Social Responsibility Programme).

- Official website, http://www.promagmulia.com/

BAHASA

DETAK, Early Cancer Detection Program approved by Indonesian Health Minister at Jakarta January 24, 2006.

According to histopathology examination in Indonesia on 1999, five leading site of cancer predominant in Indonesian population are cervical cancer, lymphoma, breast cancer, skin cancer and colon cancer. Arising from that awareness, Kalbe Farma cooperating with Dharmais Cancer Hospital launched DETAK (Deteksi Awal Kanker) or Early Cancer Detection Program.

DETAK was launched after being approved by Indonesian Health Minister, Dr. Siti Fadilah Supari, SpJP (K) at Gedung Dharma Wanita Pusat Kuningan, Jakarta on January 24, 2006. This event was followed by seminar, press conference and distribution of the book titled “Kanker, Antioksidan dan Terapi Komplementer” also some brochures.


(In the picture above from right to left: Herman Widjaja, Sutoto, Mrs. Umar Wirahadikusumah and Adji Baroto at the press conference. Click to enlarge)



Background
The background of launching this program is because cancer often being identified very late. This was attributed by fear of cancer in the common population which made people feel reluctant for examinations. Late diagnosis in the end inflicts with the rising health care cost, and decreasing the patient’s life-expectancy.
Aware with the importance of early screening, Yayasan Kanker Indonesia, Dharmais Cancer Hospital Jakarta and PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, endorsed mutual commitment to start enforcing DETAK program on November 2005.
DETAK is an educational program for the community to increase the knowledge about cancer, designed to convert the fear as to concern of cancer. This program is considered to be successful if the community already has courage to do routine medical check-up for earlier cancer screening.
DETAK program will be applied within one year by the following programs:
• Public seminars about cancer
• Press conferences
• Symposiums on cancer for journalists
• Writing contests about cancer
• Educational materials distribution such as: poster, brochure, etc
• Public and group lectures about cancer

With the strength and power of each participating side, Mr. Herman Widjaja as Kalbe Farma Director is optimist that this program will succeed. Kalbe Farma which has about 60 branches nationwide in Indonesia, is ready to support this noble program fully.
(Alongside with online electronic media such as this Kalbe Farma website)

DETAK secretariat
Jl. Swadaya Raya no. 11A, Duren Sawit Jakarta 13440
Tel.: 021-862 8557, 021-862 8584
Fax: 021-862 8584
E-mail: cakrawara@indo.net.id
Website: http://www.detak.org

BAHASA

President Commissioner PT Kalbe Farma, Boenyamin Setiawan received Lifetime Achievement Entrepreneur of The Year 2005

Boenjamin Setiawan, widely known as Dr. Boen, has an academic background in both pharmacology and pharmakinetics. He was awarded his PhD in pharmacology in 1961 in the USA. On his return to Indonesia he established a pharmaceutical business working from his own garage and partnering with his siblings who were also active in the medical field.
The success of the Kalbe Farma group under Dr. Boen's leadership has been founded on the local production of cheap generic ethical drugs to meet the economic and health needs of Indonesian people. The strategy is supplemented with alliances with overseas principles and a strong focus on research and development. New product lines have been steadily introduced and international markets developed in Asia and Africa. From very humble beginnings over 30 years ago, the Kalbe Farma group is now the largest pharmaceutical group in Indonesia with over 6000 employees. Around him, Dr. Boen has built a strong management team including his siblings and second generation.

He also enjoys the support and trust of the community, as can be seen from the many social, educational and civic organizations in which he holds key positions and responsibilities, past and present, most notably as Board Member of KOMNAS Lansia, Advisory Board Member of GP Farmasi, Advisory Board Member of KOMNAS Perempuan, Financial Advisor of Yayasan KEHATI, and Treasurer and one of the founders of Yayasan Pengembangan Kreativitas Indonesia. Despite his busy schedule overseeing the operations of the Kalbe Group, he finds time for community services through these organizations and remains active in the Faculty of Pharmacology of the University of Indonesia, where he passes his extensive knowledge in the pharmacology science to his students and colleagues.

Source
http://www.ey.com/GLOBAL/content.nsf/Indonesia/EoY_2005_-_Award_Recipients#Boenjamin_Setiawan

Great News for CAPD ASKES Users in Indonesia

Until now, patients with kidney failure can be managed with Hemodialysis, CAPD and kidney transplant. Among those 3 methods, CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) is currently a hot topic between Asian Nephrologists including Indonesia. This was expressed by Dr. Ginova Nainggolan, SpPD KGH in the Indonesia Nephrology Pre-congress Program on Thursday, November 24th, 2005 in Bali.

In the workshop, CAPD was discussed by speakers such as Prof. DR.Dr. Moch. Sja'bani, SppD KGH MSc, Dr. Tunggul D Situmorang SppD KGH and Prof. DR.Dr. Endang Susalit, SpPD KGH, Dr. Tommy Halauet, SpB.

Dr. Tunggul said, CAPD is very helpful in patients with kidney failure who have to undergo Hemodialysis. The advantage of CAPD is, the patients do not have to use the dialysis machine and may use it by themselves at home. Another advantages are they would have better physical conditions, may exercise as usual and their diet would not be as strict as when they are undergoing hemodialysis.

CAPD has been used in Indonesia since 1984, and according to Prof. Sja'bani at the moment, there are quite a lot of kidney failure patients in Indonesia, and most are from the 3rd class patients (poor people). The government is liable to manage the cost of CAPD through PT ASKES (goverment health assurance), especially for GAKIN (poor people).

In front of 150 participants, Dr. Ita Wijayanti from Kalbe Farma as a speaker explained the usage and function of instruments used in CAPD and the advantage of instruments produced by Baxter - Kalbe, one of them is the diminution of sepsis or peritonitis occurring.


Great News

There is a great news for CAPD Baxter – Kalbe Farma user or users to be, especially ASKES members:

• Free Starter Pack (this particular one has always been free)
• Free for Routine Pack 90 (formerly, participants have to pay Rp. 600.000)
• Only with an additional fee of Rp. 1.033.000 for Routine Pack 120 (a decrease from Rp. 1.600.000)
• The above regulations start October 2005.

Circular Leter Merger Proposal PT Dankos Laboratories Tbk. and PT Enseval into PT KALBE FARMA Tbk.

In relation to the Merger plan, the Board of Directors of the Merger Participants hereby present this Merger Proposal for information to shareholders of each of the Merger Participants, creditors of each of the Merger Participants as well as other relevant parties to the Merger in order to obtain approval from the EGMOS of each Merger Participant to be held on 29 November 2005.


For more information regarding this merger plan, you can click the address below: http://www.kalbefarma.com/files/investor/CircularKalbe.pdf (510 kb)

Promag Double Action, coming soon !!!

As the leader of gastric medication market share in Indonesia (80%), Promag as one of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk brands, does not just sit back, but keep on developing new innovations. Last but not least, PT Kalbe Farma (JSX: KLBF) will launch new variant of Promag, intended for its premium segment.

Promag Double Action works in two-way approach in gastric management. It is the first OTC combine drug in Indonesia, Antacid and Acid Blocker.

In the picture taken after the press conference, from left to right: Rully Prasetyanto (Product Executive), Sinteisa Sunarjo (Group Product Manager), Eliana Taufik (Internist), Mayong Laksono (Moderator), Djoni Hartono (Assistant Director OTC).

According to Eliana, an internist, gastric pains in medical terms is called Dyspepsia Syndrome. Its symptoms are: pain, nausea and even vomiting.


The causes can be divided into two:

1. Organic such as: the presence of stomach ulcer, etc
2. Functional such as: the increase of stomach acid and stomach sensitivity even though the stomach acid remains unchanged, etc.

The gastric pain management itself starts from the diet, a change in lifestyle up to the consumption of medications.

Up to the moment, the circulating Over The Counter drugs are antacids. The function of antacids is to neutralize stomach acid.


Promag Double Action

Promag Double Action works 2 ways, it neutralises and slows down the production of stomach acid or Antagonist H2.


The Submarine Analogy

According to Djoni Hartono, Assistant Director OTC PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, for an easier understanding, gastric pain can be compared with a leaking submarine. If the leakage is small, then it is enough to use a mop to clean the affected area just like using antacids, but if the leakage is getting larger then it needs to be patched, otherwise the submarine will be filled with water. Hence is the purpose of a medication that can suppress the production of stomach acid. The stomach acid suppressant works slowly (therefore it needs to be combined with the antacid that works instantly) but it can work up until 12 hours.

2 Chewable Tablets a Day
Because of Promag’s Double Action long working period, 2 chewable tablets in a day is enough. Unlike a couple of antacid tablets, that have to be consumed 3-4 times day, when the symptoms are quite bad.

BAHASA INDONESIA

CEO of Kalbe Farma received "The Innovation Indonesia Business Leader Award 2005"

Just recently, Mr. Johannes Setijono as CEO of Kalbefarma received "The Innovation Indonesia Business Leader Award 2005" carried out by CNBC Asia and Bank Mandiri.
The event itself was held on September 23rd, 2005.

The judging and selection process was done to 200 Indonesia Business Leaders of 2005, by a line of judges who are highly competent in their fields. It was presided by University of Chicago Graduate Business School as well as some business leaders in Asia.

At the same time, Mr. Budi Dhrama from EPM (Enseval Putra Megatrading) also received an award as one of the finalists in Top 8 Indonesia Business Leader 2005.

About this award

Another award news:
- Kalbe Snatched the Forbes Global Award
- Kalbe Farma is One of the 2003 Indonesia Business Award Winners


BAHASA INDONESIA

Kalbe Farma launched a drug for Endometriosis

Do you suffer from menstrual cramps? Now you can be relieved since PT Kalbe Farma (JSX: KLBF) has marketed a generic product meant for those who have Endometriosis. PT Kalbe Farma’s introduction of Endrolin (product brand) to various print and electronic media was done today in Jakarta. In the picture dr. Antonio Bouzad (a manufacturer from Argentina) is giving Madam Irawati Setiadi (Kalbe Farma) a symbol of Endrolin.

Period Pains
According to dr. Indra Anwar, an Ob-Gyn Specialist from RS Bunda, Menstrual Cramps or Dysmenorrhea is a menstruation disorder suffered by many women. One cause of Dysmenorrhea is Endometriosis or a growth (non-cancer) of endometrium outside the womb. Endometriosis lesion can be found in the Ovaries, Fallopian Tubes and Pelvic Cavity. It can also be found at the Ileum, Colon, Bladder even the Lungs, Spine as well as the Brain. As a result, during a time of menstruation, the areas that have lesions on them will also suffer from hemorrhage.


Endometriosis Treatment
Various ways have been done to treat Endometriosis, some of them include:

1. By giving painkillers
2. By giving medications for the cause
3. Surgery
4. Complementary Therapy

Endrolin / Leuprorelin
Endrolin which contains 3.75mg of Leuprolide Acetate works by depressing the production of Esterogen (female hormone). The hypo-estrogenic condition caused the Endometrium network in and outside the uterus to shrink.

According to an investigation, the hypo-estrogenic condition may decrease symptoms, such as Menstrual Cramps, Abdominal pain and intercourse pain, etc which usually appear because of Endometriosis.

Along with the information acquired from the Press Conference, Endrolin offers women the freedom from conditions caused by Endometriosis including Menstrual Cramps. It also has easy and convenient dosing methods, reversible and light side effects, simple dosage and inexpensive.

BAHASA INDONESIA

Innogene Kalbiotech, a subsidiary of PT Kalbe Farma to penetrate global market

Not only does it wasn’t to be the best in the country but (at the moment "JSX: KLBF" have become the biggest Pharmaceutical company in the Jakarta Stock Exchange), T Kalbe Farma wishes to penetrate the global market, by inventing new products (internationally patented). Hence Indonesia can be proud of the original pharmaceutical drugs produced by PT Kalbe Farma. Through Innogene Kalbiotech, Kalbe Farma will become a drug development companywhich focuses on clinical development. Such is the resolution from the Press Conference held at PT Kalbe Farma’s Marketing Office on Friday, July 29th, 2005.

Innogene Kalbiotech
Innogene Kalbiotech which stands for Innovation Generator Kalbe Farma Biotechnology is a subsidiary of Pt Kalbe Farma, it started on July 8th, 2003. Based on superior science and technology, the company strive to be the best in Pharmaceutical business and invent top products which can penetrate the markets in developed countries. According to Dr Rikrik Ilyas, as Director of Innogene Kalbiotech, besides the drug developments, the company also creates innovative diagnostic equipment which requires scientific and clinical developments in Global Market. From the aspect of class therapy, Innogene specializes itself in the developments of Oncology, Critical Care, Vaccines (therapeutical & preventive) and diagnostics.

Products
Some available Biogeneric products:

1. Hemapo , for the therapy of anemia in dialysis patients caused by kidney failure
2. Kalferon, for chronic Hepatitis B and C patients
3. Fimalbumin, for hypoproteinemia management, with or without edema
4. Fimakinase, for acute miokard infarct therapy, vena cava inferior thrombosis, acute massive lung embolism , acute thrombosis and artery embolism
5. BTXA , for the therapy of strabismus and blepharospasm caused by dystonia
6. Mediflex, a break-through formula to ease topical transdermal arthritis pain
7. Leucogen, a product to ease fever, which is still in evaluation process for patients with non-myeloid under chemotherapy.

BAHASA INDONESIA