healthcare

Manila — As part of its continuing commitment to broadening sustainable and equitable access to medicines, Takeda Healthcare Philippines recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) to broaden patient access to innovative life-saving medications.

The ceremonial signing marked the start of a collaborative agreement between the two institutions, both of which strongly believe in building partnerships that address many of the healthcare challenges faced by Filipinos. Takeda will extend its patient assistance programs to AHMC patients through this partnership.

Particularly, rare blood cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and rare GI conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) will be covered under this collaboration. The program uses innovative and collaborative financing models wherein prescribed therapies may be provided to the patient through a financial eligibility-based, cost-sharing model in collaboration with program partners. Eligible patients, in partnership with their healthcare providers, can get access to innovative medicines regardless of their financial condition.

More than addressing cost issues that often prevent patients from accessing important pharmaceutical products, these programs are also geared toward ensuring that the management of certain life-threatening illnesses proceed smoothly and in line with treatment plans. With this partnership, support is brought closer to where patients are cared for, helping reduce out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients, thus ensuring that quality treatment is not just a privilege, but a right available to all.

Present to sign the memorandum of understanding were Loreann Villanueva, Takeda Philippines Country Manager; Dr. Beaver Tamesis, AHMC President and CEO; and Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, Clinical Director of the Asian Cancer Institute at AHMC. Also present at the signing were Dr. Anna Purisima Peñalosa, AHMC Director for Commercial Operations Group and Strategic Business Units; Christina Liza Sta. Maria, AHMC Associate Director for Pharmacy, Healthcare Access, Vaccination, and Nutrition Services; Sheryll-Anne Corpuz, Takeda Lead for Access to Medicines; and John Raymond Gulinao, Takeda Lead for Institutional Business and Alliance Management.

“Cancer is not only a disease—it is a reality that touches families, communities, and health systems,” said Ms. Sta. Maria. “We recognize the emotional, physical, and financial toll it takes on patients and their loved ones. And today, through this partnership, we are taking a step forward in making treatment not only available but truly accessible. Together, we are shaping a future where cancer care is inclusive, responsive, and truly centered on the patient.”

For his part, Dr. Tamesis spoke about how the drugs included in the program would benefit patients at the AHMC, especially since these cases are not as rarely seen in the hospital as one might expect. “There are quite a number of patients and it’s really important that these [pharmaceutical] products be made available,” he said.

He added: “Congratulations to everybody for bringing this [program] home, finally. I’m excited about this.”

“Rare conditions like multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and inflammatory bowel disease—they often go unnoticed, along with other rare diseases,” said Ms. Villanueva. “And these patients with rare conditions deserve not just our attention, but more so our unwavering support. That’s why this partnership is so important—it reflects our joint commitment to make healthcare more inclusive, more accessible.”

She added: “In Takeda, we really believe that access to life-saving medications should never be about a patient’s ability to pay. It’s never about their financial capacity.”

Takeda’s Access to Medicines program reflects the company’s global commitment to equity. Through this initiative, Takeda nurtures partnerships that help strengthen healthcare systems in ways that are sustainable, aligned with national priorities, and in collaboration with local communities. Beyond affordable pricing for life-saving drugs, Access to Medicines pushes for the much larger goal of policy change, especially in areas facing serious and complex healthcare challenges.

At present, as many as 2 billion people living in low- and middle-income countries lack access to essential medicines, on top of continuing challenges related to healthcare infrastructure, as well as gaps in screening, diagnostics, and treatment availability.

Data from the Global Cancer Observatory of the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer showed that Hodgkin lymphoma ranked 23rd among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the Philippines, with 602 new cases in 2022. Multiple myeloma ranked 21st, with 931 new cases. Meanwhile, among the five most prevalent cancers in the country, two are gastrointestinal (GI) cancers: colorectal cancer ranks third with 20,736 cases, and liver cancer ranks fourth with 12,544 new cases. According to the World Journal of Gastroenterology, as of 2019 there are approximately 4.9 million people living with IBD globally. There are currently no national statistics on IBD in the Philippines, but the number of cases is expected to grow in the coming years, according to regional forecasts and expert reviews in the journal. The active collaboration of stakeholders from various sectors can help alleviate some of the pressing needs of patients with these diseases not just in the Philippines, but across the region.

Aside from AHMC, Takeda Philippines also has existing collaborations for its patient access programs with Makati Medical Center and the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital.