The Truth Behind Misconceptions on Generic Medicine

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When it comes to therapeutics, Filipinos have many misconceptions surrounding generic medicines. According to a survey, more than 70% of Filipino respondents prefer branded medicines while only 15% prefer generic drugs. This study also found that only 7% of the participants know the correct definition of “generic drug” and almost half of 48% believes that generic medicines are less effective than branded medicines. 

A homegrown heritage brand and a pioneer in the generics industry, RHEA Generics’ goal has been to empower Filipinos to prioritize their health and wellness within their means. Furthermore, the company advocates the use of relatively affordable medicines that could help Filipinos prevent illnesses or boost their immunity as much as branded medicines could. 

With this, here are some of the top misconceptions on generic medicines debunked by RHEA Generics:

THE MYTH: Generic medicines are not as effective as branded medicine

The TRUTH: Generic medicines are as effective as branded medicines because both use the same active ingredient. The Philippine Law on Generics also known as the Generics Acts of 1988 defines active ingredients as the chemical component of medicines that is responsible for the therapeutic effect of any pharmaceutical product thus, emphasizing that the composition of both generic and branded products are equally potent and efficient.

THE MYTH: Generic Medicines are not safe

The TRUTH: Through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all medicines, whether it is branded or generic, go through a series of inspections and approval processes, usually taking around 60 days up to six months,  to assure that these drugs are safe and of the highest quality.

Likewise, the FDA regularly ensures that pharmaceutical products and establishments in the market comply with high-quality standards with good manufacturing practices. Through the post marketing surveillance, FDA inspects drug establishments verifying that all products are FDA-registered and safe for consumption.

As a trusted Filipino medicine brand, RHEA Generics also goes through the same rigorous process to assure that all medicines distributed are safe and of world-class-quality.

THE MYTH: Generic Medicines are sold at low price because it is low-quality

The TRUTH: Generic medicines are cheaper since these drugs are distributed without the patent protection making it much cheaper than branded medicines. Patent protection provides an exclusive right for the distribution of a certain product. This simply means that generic drugs are based on a developed branded medicine whose patent protection rights have expired thus, cutting a huge cost in developing and marketing new medicines.

In a report by the Department of Health, it was revealed that 99% of Filipinos refuse to buy their prescription medicines because of its expensive price with 71% allotting less than P1,000 for their monthly medical supplies.

With the goal to help Filipinos attain affordable healthcare, RHEA Generics provides world-class quality and safe health products. RHEA Generics, one of the Philippines’ most trusted names in the field of generic medicine, producing unibranded medicines.

RHEA Generics has partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Viatris, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim to assure world-class-quality medical products for every Filipino.

There are many other misconceptions about generic medicines that we still believe nowadays but we definitely can’t risk our health by. When in doubt, we encourage you to seek medical professional health to ensure proper diagnosis and medication.

To know more and purchase RHEA Generics medicines, visit the nearest Mercury Drug store near you.

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About RHEA Generics

With more than 40 years in the industry of producing quality and affordable medicine, RHEA Generics is one of the most trusted names in health and wellness in the Philippines. It has partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Viatris, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim to provide world-class medicine for the Filipinos.

 

 

 

Xiaomi Unveils Xiaomi 13 Ultra, co-engineered with Leica

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Beijing, CHINA, April, 2023—Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the latest result of Xiaomi and Leica's collaboration in further advancing mobile imaging technology, debuted today at the Xiaomi 13 Ultra Launch Event. Flaunting a quad camera system centering the main camera with 1-inch sensor and a variable aperture, an ultra-grade WQHD+ display with excellent color accuracy, along with premium flagship Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 performance, all packed in a classic design, Xiaomi offers smartphone users seeking a professional camera experience the ultimate, in all capabilities.

Leica optics, to build the perfect Summicron Lens of Leica in mobile imaging

The strategic cooperation between Xiaomi and Leica in the global imaging field has taken another crucial step: By further upgrading the Summicron lens for mobile imaging in the optical system, offering "a coming-of-age ceremony in mobile imaging".

Inherited from the optical concept of the Leica M series, the Leica optical system of Xiaomi 13 Ultra has the characteristics of compact size, large aperture, high imaging performance, reliability, and durability. The lens adopts an ultra-high-order polynomial design, allowing the precision of design to reach a nanometer level, nearing the optical limit. Meanwhile, a multi-layer coating greatly reduces glare and ghosting, presenting stable performance in extremely cold and extremely hot environments.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra is equipped with a quad camera system with Leica optical lens covering focal lengths ranging from 12mm (ultra-wide angle), 23mm (wide-angle), 75mm (telephoto), to the new 120mm (super-telephoto), as well as the extra 46mm and 240mm lengths through the In-Sensor-Zoom. Adding on the full degree of focal length flexibility, the smartphone's professional camera setting offers variable aperture. Three of Xiaomi 13 Ultra's cameras feature an aperture wider than ƒ/2.0, which brings in lighter and a soft, shallow depth of field, and allows for shorter shutter times, thus quicker capturing of natural and unmissable moments. Flaunting an ultra-large 1-inch IMX989 sensor and a new physical two-stop aperture switching between ƒ/1.9 and ƒ/4.0, the main camera offers content creators more freedom in customizing the exposures based on different scenarios.

Inspired by the "hyperfocal distance" shooting method commonly used by street photographers, Xiaomi 13 Ultra also brings a new Fast Shot mode that allows taking focus-free snapshots by setting the focus point manually, and later starting and capturing the moment in just 0.8s.

Pro color restoration capability powered end-to-end from capture to presentation.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra has fully optimized the RAW workflow, and more algorithms are migrated to the RAW domain to maximize the dynamic range, details, and texture of the image, thus significantly improving imaging quality. The main camera supports 50MP RAW, bringing a higher imaging resolution, while providing multi-frame 14-bit UltraRAW, which takes the data directly from the computing pipeline, bringing better resolution and high dynamic range. Camera profiles will be created by Adobe, providing a better starting point for post-production.

In terms of display, Xiaomi 13 Ultra sports a 6.73" pro-grade WQHD+ display with excellent color accuracy and up to 2600 nits peak brightness. This display is also calibrated according to the new CIE 2015 colorimetry, which supports perfect automatic color management to ensure accurate and consistent color presentation across different displays from Xiaomi devices released recently.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra also supports end-to-end experience supported by Dolby Vision®, capturing with vivid colors, astonishing contrast and brightness, along with a panoramic view of rich details in dark and bright areas, while offering users the opportunity to share their own creative content in UGC communities that support Dolby Vision®.

Ultra-fast experience with self-developed heat dissipation technology and Xiaomi Surge Battery Management System

As the annual masterpiece of the Xiaomi Ultra product line, Xiaomi 13 Ultra has the most powerful hardware configuration available, along with a suite of new innovative technologies for a top-notch flagship experience.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra pays tribute to the classic look of Leica's M camera series with its circular camera module, unibody metal frame and leather texture finish. Weighing 227g¹ and with the unibody metal frame giving more resilience for bending than the previous generation, the smartphone design provides foundation for the entire structure and a more secure grip. Wrapped in a second-generation antibacterial nanotech silicone leather, the back panel of Xiaomi 13 Ultra not only resists fingerprints and smudges, but also is antibacterial and anti-yellowing. Its bacterial inhibition rate can reach as high as 99%, perfect for nearly any environment.

Equipped with the latest Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 flagship processor, which adopts 4nm process technology, Xiaomi 13 Ultra brings superior performance and energy consumption. The smartphone supports RAM up to 16GB LPDDR5x and UFS4.0 storage of up to 1 TB, as well as FBO (File Based Optimization). Xiaomi 13 Ultra also features a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, achieving DisplayPort video output up to 4K 60Hz.

Thanks to Xiaomi's self-developed Loop LiquidCool technology, the first landing of an aerospace-grade large toroidal cooling system on a smartphone, Xiaomi 13 Ultra has achieved "one-way conduction" of the internal circulation through the "vapor-liquid separation" structure. This ensures equivalent thermal conductivity more than three times that of traditional VCs, and heat dissipation capacity exceeds 10W. With this powerful and advanced technology, Xiaomi 13 Ultra is capable of supporting stable 4K 60fps video recording without frame rate drop due to temperature.

By pairing a Xiaomi Surge P2 Charging Chip and Xiaomi Surge G1 Battery Management Chip with a 5,000mAh battery, Xiaomi 13 Ultra utilizes a series of battery health functions and is able to estimate the battery life at extremely granular levels. Xiaomi 13 Ultra also adds a new Hibernation mode, which will be automatically triggered when the battery is low, limiting background activities and offering up to 60 minutes of additional standby.

Pricing and availability

Xiaomi 13 Ultra will first be available in Mainland China on April 21, 2023, and in the next few months will be launched in various international markets. The device will be available in three colors: Black, White, and Olive Green. 12GB+256GB is priced at RMB 5999, 16GB+512GB is priced at RMB 6499, and 16G+1TB is priced at RMB 7299.

Dilaw’s “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat)” breaks Spotify record as the Philippines’ “Most Streamed Local Song in a Day”

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Baguio-based indie-alternative band, Dilaw, has set the 2023 Spotify record for the Philippines’ most streamed local song in 24 hours. The group’s melodic single “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat)” even surpassed BLACKPINK’s “Shut Down” and Joji’s “Glimpse of Us” number of streams within a day in the Philippines, gaining global traction in Indonesia, United States and Australia.

The six-piece band from the north composed of the core duo of vocalist and lyricist Dilaw Obrero and guitarist Vie Viloria, drummer Tobi Samson, bassist Wayne Dela Rosa, guitarist Leon Altomonte and keyboardist En Altomonte is thrilled to reach a significant achievement together.

“As musicians, all we wanted is for people to listen and relate to our music and our journey, and this record-breaking achievement is simply amazing. We are grateful to Spotify, an audio platform that enables the global discovery of our band and the repertoire of our work. This continues to motivate us to work on our craft and explore new musical possibilities,” shared Dilaw.

“Celebrating local music and building a deeper connection between artists and fans have been a top priority for us. It is incredibly encouraging to see Filipino artists continuing to rise in the local charts and break more boundaries than ever before,” said Kossy Ng, Head of Music of Spotify Asia.

For the past three weeks, Uhaw (Tayong Lahat) has held the #1 spot on Spotify’s Top 50 Philippines chart. After seeing a huge listenership on Viral Hits Philippines, Spotify amplified the band further through its editorial playlist ecosystem and featured them on Tatak Pinoy and magmuni-muni. The band’s popularity showed no signs of slowing down, and eventually clinched a spot in Spotify’s Hot Hit Philippines. With a remarkable increase of more than 200% in followers on Spotify in the past month, it’s clear that more listeners are discovering Dilaw’s musical prowess.

With their artful lyrics, dreamy sonic layers, and captivating vocals, Dilaw takes listeners on a journey to a world that is uniquely their own. Their hit song 'Uhaw' describes the thirst for something, whether it be a person, thing, or feeling. As the band continues to create experiences for fans through their music, one thing is certain: Dilaw is a testament that regional talents deserve the global spotlight.

“Dilaw started out as a humble duo from Baguio, armed with nothing but an undeniable talent. We discovered them and knew right away that they had the potential to be something special. Since then, Dilaw has blossomed into a full six-piece band that have the potential to touch many with their unique sound and innovative approach to music-making.Together with Spotify, we are excited to be part of this ride with them,” said Kelley Mangahas, Artists & Relations Philippines, Warner Music Group.

Available on Spotify Premium or Free, listen to Dilaw and discover more Filipino artists on Tatak Pinoy.

Treat yourself! 4 delicious ways to celebrate a job well done

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Working for several hours a day can be tiring, that’s why efficient workers use motivational “tricks” to stay upbeat no matter how busy their day gets. One the tricks is to give yourself a small “treat” for a job well done. What it does is help encourage you to finish your daily tasks.

Reward yourself for small or big wins by enjoying these delicious products from URC.

These don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Simple and easy-to-do activities can feel satisfying and may even energize you for your next task. Here are four simple ways to reward yourself during a workday, whether you’re working in the office or from home:

Have a coffee break

Who doesn’t love sipping on coffee at work? Go to a quiet spot in the office lounge or at home and enjoy your drink without distractions. For a delightful experience, indulge in a sweet and comforting cup of Great Taste Supreme in Toffee Hazelnut Latte or Black Forest Latte!

Say hello to your friends

Catching up with a friend—even just virtually—can give you that fun and rewarding break in between your busy day. While you’re at it, enjoy a satisfying treat by munching on Cloud 9 Gold. Enjoy the mouthful of sensations offered by Cloud 9 Gold Almond Fudge, and the sweet and salty combination of Cloud 9 Gold Caramel Nut Crisp!

Take a quick walk

Taking short walks can stretch your legs and get your heart pumping. To make these walks fun and purposeful, how about using them to drop by a convenience store near your office for a snack? Try Calbee – potato chips with unique Japanese flavors like Honey Butter, Wasabi, Cheddar and Sour Cream, and Classic Salted.

Play a game

Finishing a mind-numbing task requires a brain break. So, how about spending a couple of minutes playing your favorite mobile game? Make the experience rewarding by enjoying sweet treats like Cream-O Premium, a melt-in-your-mouth, choco-coated, vanilla sandwich cookie!

Try these activities and you’ll feel more rewarded at the end of your workday. And don’t forget to partner them with premium yet affordable everyday rewards like Great Taste Supreme, Cloud 9 Gold, Calbee, Cream-O Premium, and more delightful treats from Universal Robina Corporation (URC)!

URC’s wide range of snacks can help you create delightful and rewarding experiences out of simple, everyday moments. Explore them and discover #URDelightfulChoice!

Shop your favorite URC treats at a supermarket near you or online via GoCart.

 

Public charging stations may expose Filipinos to “juice jack” attacks

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States recently warned consumers against using USB ports for charging in public spaces such as airports, malls, and hotels, as attackers can "juice jack" data or insert malware into one’s phone or device for theft.

While the public service announcement released on Twitter was meant for Americans, many other countries, like the Philippines, also have public establishments with free charging stations as emergency assistance to consumers. The threat of a juice jack attack exists everywhere people plug their devices into untrusted ports, like in public charging stations.

Sean Duca, Vice President and Regional Chief Security Officer for Asia Pacific & Japan at Palo Alto Network, shared, "We should always remember that nothing in the world is free. Trusting public charging kiosks with your smartphone carries a significant risk of personal information being retrieved or downloaded without your consent."

The recipe for a juice jack attack

A USB (universal serial bus) cable is the key ingredient in a juice jack attack. USB cables are designed with two wires for data transfer and power, respectively. Juice jacking happens when malicious actors embed malware into charging stations and activate data transfer through the USB cables to infect connecting devices.

The malware, now on the connected device, can then use seemingly normal notifications to trick people into giving it access. Examples include an app asking permission to access files similar to what social media platforms do or operating systems requiring users to authorize a new update. If not given focus, users could simply allow these requests without considering the risks of such a stealthy threat.

Once access is granted, the situation resorts to the classic scenario of attackers being able to crawl into the victim’s files and applications to collect sensitive information, including bank account credentials or credit card details, to steal data or money.

Resisting juice jacking

What’s the juice to countering a juice jack attack? Duca points back to the power of controlling access within one’s device. "Malware requires a user's permission, much like any other app on your phone, before it can actually infect a device. The users are the last gate to keeping malware away, so it’s really important for them to think before they click and challenge why an app would request access to your personal information."

He elaborated further that many mobile apps request access to a user's data on a device, claiming that doing so will allow users to enjoy the app to its fullest potential. With this being the norm today, users tend to grant permission without considering the risks.

"Public charging stations also carry the threat of malware infection and data theft, similar to the dangers of public Wi-Fi networks. As a mobile-savvy nation, Filipinos need to be prepared to handle this risk by questioning whether we can trust our data with another device and understanding how it can be misused from the get-go," he concluded.

 

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About Palo Alto Networks

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