Experts call out the need for affordable breast cancer treatment during the launch of trastuzumab biosimilar in the Philippines

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In response to the prevailing threat of breast cancer in the Philippines, Pfizer has introduced a trastuzumab biosimilar to enable more Filipinos to have access to a more affordable treatment for HER2 positive breast cancer.

Pfizer Onco Summit Day 1 with Dr. Dennis Dioko and Dr. Jay Datukan during the product reveal.

Announced during a recently held Oncology Summit organized by Pfizer and held at Grand Hyatt Manila, Taguig Philippines that was attended by leading healthcare practitioners and Oncology experts, Pfizer’s biosimilar Trastuzumab received the approval of the Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2022 to bring this innovative treatment option to the Filipino patients. Trastuzumab refers to a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat specific types of HER2 positive breast cancers and stomach cancers.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the Philippines, especially among women. It contributes a significant burden of disease for Philippine health care. In the Philippines, cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. According to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health, 189 in every 100,000 Filipinos are diagnosed with cancer and four Filipinos die every hour or 96 cancer patients every day. One factor that greatly affects patient survival is the high cost of cancer treatment. 1

Biosimilars play an important role in the treatment of cancer, with the ability to both help increase patient access to essential medicines and provide value to the healthcare system by driving market competition that can lower the cost of care. With more than a decade of global inmarket experience, a portfolio of nine approved biosimilar products across different diseases in the U.S. and the broadest biosimilar portfolio for oncology supportive care, Pfizer is proud to be a global leader in biosimilars and at the forefront of this vital healthcare segment.

Dr. Waleed Al Morsi Mohamed El Baramawy, Senior Director, Oncology Medical Affairs, Pfizer Emerging Markets said, ”The entry of Pfizer's biosimilar medicines in the Philippine market is a very positive development. Our biosimilar products have received regulatory approval based on the overall assessment of similarity to an existing biologic medicine. Pfizer uses robust protocols to ensure the same high-quality standards are maintained in its biosimilars as its biologics throughout every stage of the manufacturing process.”

Dr. Maximino Bello III, Head of Oncology at De Los Santos Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine, St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine-WHQM said “the financial component of breast cancer in the Philippines is very challenging and cancer can be a significant economic burden for the Filipinos leading to financial difficulties to the families.” He said Pfizer’s biosimilar brand is significantly lower in price than the equivalent reference medication in the market. With the entry of this molecule developed by Pfizer, patients and their HCPs would have comparable treatment options that will prove to be beneficial in their treatment journey.

Speakers during the occasion were leading clinical trialists (Dr. Rubi K. Li, Medical Oncologist and the lead of the St. Luke’s Medical Center Human Cancer Biobank Project and Member of the Training Committee Division of SLMC Medical Oncology and Dr. Priscilla Caguioa, Medical Oncologist at University of Santo Tomas and St. Luke’s Medical Center) who collectively acknowledged that the introduction of a third trastuzumab biosimilar by Pfizer is a welcome development to Filipinos so that patients can avail of a more cost-effective high-quality drug for the treatment of breast cancer. The distinguished speakers were hopeful that with the launch of the new biosimilar, the treatment of breast cancer can become more affordable. Receiving a trastuzumab-based therapy even in earlier stages of breast cancer gives the HER2 positive breast cancer patient a significant advantage compared to those not receiving trastuzumab based therapies.

Reference:

1. Philippine Cancer Control Program. Accessed through: Philippine Cancer Control Program Department of Health website (doh.gov.ph). Accessed through: https://doh.gov.ph/philippinecancer- control-program. Access date: July 21 2022.

Pfizer supports PRC’s COVID-19 efforts

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In 2020, Pfizer and Pfizer Foundation announced their commitment to donate $40M for worldwide relief efforts for COVID-19 through international non-government organizations (NGOs) and partners. Among those chosen beneficiary organizations was the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for its efforts in relief operations and for taking the lead in performing more than one million RT-PCR tests in the Philippines. Last January, Pfizer Philippines formally turned over a $100,000 (P5 million) grant to PRC to support its COVID-19 relief efforts and projects. The virtual turnover event (in photo) was attended by Pfizer Country Manager Andreas Riedel, Pfizer Public Affairs Director Noel Borlongan, PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon, PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla, PRC Biomolecular Laboratories head Dr. Paulyn Ubial, and American Red Cross Country Representative Shir Shah Ayobi.

Early detection and Post-treatment depression: WHAT FILIPINAS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER

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Here's to share Alya’s breast cancer journey and advocacy from her early detection to her post-treatment depression, and how ICanServe Foundation and Pfizer hope to address the disease.

With almost 25,000 new cases this year, breast cancer ranks first in cancer incidence among all other cancers here in the Philippines. In fact, one in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop the disease in her lifetime.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a worldwide campaign held annually to raise awareness on the disease. With the World Health Organization reporting that early detection remains the best protection as the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, this awareness month is crucial to increase understanding of the disease in the Philippines.

Early detection

In the Philippines, breast cancer screening is often seen as a burden and there is a false belief that breast cancer is a sure killer, even if caught in the early stages. The ICanServe Foundation, a breast cancer advocacy group in the Philippines, promotes early breast cancer detection, which encompasses education about breast cancer, breast self-exam (BSE), clinical exam, and mammography. Citing the American Cancer Society, ICanServe suggests women should perform a monthly BSE by the age of 20, schedule an annual clinical exam upon turning 30, and have theirannual mammography by the time they hit 40.

Alya Honasan, ICanServe member and veteran writer and editor, was diagnosed at 49: “I was lucky because it was detected early,” she shared. Having always had regular checks, Alya stopped in 2011, and when she found time again in 2013, her doctor discovered a lump that didn’t look benign.

Due to her early detection, and after having multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Alyasuccessfully completed treatment in 2014. In a recent interview, she referenced both post-treatment depression and support groups as important topics of treatment that are not often discussed.

Post-treatment depression

“Of course, it’s normal to be depressed while you have it, but in my case, I was depressed after,” Alya revealed. In a study, it was found that up to 50% of women diagnosed with early breast cancer had depression and/or anxiety in the year after diagnosis; 25% in the second, third, and fourth years; and 15% in the fifth year. This may be attributed to factors such as adjusting to life after treatment and having worries about breast cancer recurring.

A number of treatments for depression are available,7, and Alya found comfort in seeking professional help and therapy: “It also helps that my psychiatrist is a cancer survivor, so we speak the same language.”

Breast cancer buddies

Aside from seeking professional help, having a support group around you is essential during and after treatment — moms, daughters, and spouses are great point persons. Alya had fellow Bicol native and ex-Marine Ernesto Lozada, aka Kuya Kulot, who was assigned to her by her older brother and who drove her to and from chemo and work just like a true kuya or big brother. “If I’m not done with work by 9 PM, bubusina na nang bubusina yan sa labas (he would honk the horn repeatedly until I came out of the building). He was quite the disciplinarian but was also malambing (affectionate), always there to reassure me that I am loved,” Alya recalled.

Alya with her breast cancer buddies retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog or panganay Kikay

Alya with her breast cancer buddies: retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog or panganay Kikay

Aside from friends such as Kuya Kulot, workmates, and family, Alya also had a spiritual group and ICanServeFoundation to lean on. ICanServe’s flagship project, Ating Dibdibin (Take Your Breast Care to Heart), is the Philippines’ first community-based breast cancer screening program, launched in 2009 under the auspices of the American Cancer Society and with a grant from Pfizer. 

Pfizer’s heritage and innovation in breast cancer

Pfizer’s legacy in breast cancer spans nearly two decades, being a leader in awareness campaigns, advocacy partnerships, and pioneering treatments. Among its latest breakthroughs in research and development is a therapytargeted for specific mutations in breast cancer, which is a significant advancement in first-line treatment of breast cancer in 10 years. 

“We believe that more than the breakthrough therapies that Pfizer develops, our success is also measured by how we are helping redefine life with cancer,” Dr. Veronica Prasad, Medical Manager for Pfizer Oncology in the Philippines, shared. “We want the breast cancer community to know that they are not alone in their journey, and that Pfizer goes beyond treatments to help them live their best lives despite the disease.”