Pfizer Made It?

Did they or did they not?

Reacting to the recent Senate Inquiry wherein Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile told that Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company bribed the government in order to stop the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Law, Pfizer Philippines' Corporate Legal Counsel Millete Asuncion clarified that Enrile's accusations are not true.

This surfaced after Reiner Gloor, executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, testified to the Senate and said that Pfizer Philippines reportedly made an offer to the Department of Health before the list of the maximum retail price (MRP) for essential medicines was released last month.

Pfizer allegedly offered the government five million discount cards with an estimated worth of P100 million.

As has been in previous controversies, the name of President Gloria Arroyo is once again being dragged into the issue. The Senate has summoned the President, after she has allegedly conducted a secret meeting with multinational pharmaceutical firms last week.

President Arroyo, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Trade Secretary Peter Fabila, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., however, did not attend the inquiry.

Grains of Thought- A(H1N1) Virus & Politics

Influenza A (H1N1) Virus not only entered the Philippines. We have now reached more than 100 confirmed cases, and yesterday, the Department of Health has declared a community outbreak in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

Just a thought- since the entrance of the Virus in the Philippines, I have never heard of any presidentiable giving his thoughts on how we can possibly contain the number of cases at the minimum.

Influenza A (H1N1) Virus is the current problem of the state.

Shouldn't they care more and give recommendations rather than mudslinging into his own opponent?

The Journey

For many young Filipinos, the journey starts today.





Despite some health issue alerts about the pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus which has finally penetrated the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) pushed thru with the opening of classes for public schools today, June 1, 2009.

Thousands, or even millions of new faces flock to schools today to begin their journey with getting formal education.

Thus, we pin our hopes on them- that they may strive to achieve the best that God has in store for all of them.

Young people, you have your own path of destiny towards greatness.

Claim it.
Sieze it.
It's yours to take.

Is The Philippines Ready for the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus?

Last week, the DOH has confirmed that they have recorded the first Influenza A (H1N1) case in the Philippines. As of posting, there are already 2 victims in the country, and they are still monitoring more than 10 people.

To spearhead an anti- Influenza A (H1N1) Virus campaign, President Gloria Arroyo visited a public school in Manila yesterday to emphasize the need for proper hygiene and cleanliness even in the schools.

However, the school itself is not ready- at least- for a basic cleanliness material- TRASH CAN.

Philstar reports:

President Arroyo was visibly peeved yesterday after finding no wastebasket in which to throw a piece of tissue she had used to wipe her hands during an anti-Influenza A(H1N1) campaign at a school in Manila.

After rolling up the tissue paper, the President searched her immediate surroundings for a wastebasket, found none, and started telling the officials around her about the need to have wastebaskets around, particularly beside the faucets.

The officials scrambled around and produced a cardboard box for the President’s trash.
Members of the President’s team explained later that the box was originally placed under the faucets but it had to be removed in order to avoid obstructing the movement of the President.

Apparently, Mrs. Arroyo wanted to see actual wastebaskets and not makeshift cardboard boxes

If simple basic necessities like trash can are not available at hand in schools and other public places, how can we be so sure that we are ready, not only for the Influenza Virus, but in any possible virus outbreak in the country?

Cleanliness, folks, is a better way than to scrumble for cure when the disease attacks.

Update: Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Enters Philippines

The Department of Health confirmed Thursday night (May 21, 2009) that a 10-year old Filipina who arrived in the Philippines from the United States has tested positive of the Influenza A H1N1 Virus.

Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III, who is attending a World Health Organization meeting, said via a video conference, " the DoH confirms today the first case of AH1N1 in the Philippines. She is a female traveler who arrived in the country on May 18 from the United States, whose throat specimen tested positive based on results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine".

The DOH calls on all the people to be vigilant in ensuring proper hygiene and being extra health conscious in order to avoid the flu virus.

Even in various private and government offices, people are being advised to practice proper hygiene, such as:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Making sure your children follow this advice.

Update On H1N1 Virus

The World Health Organization has continued to advice an alert status concerning the H1N1 Virus, as more cases of this flu has been traced in various parts of the world.

For additional reading:

How Deadly is the H1N1 Virus?


Local News Networks in the Philippines report last night that the virus is not transmitted to humans by merely eating swine meat. With this, authorities are asking that the term "Swine Flu" should not be used to refer to the virus, but rather, H1N1 virus is the proper term to use.

So, ano pa'ng hinihintay nating mga Pinoy?

Attack!

Swine Flu: Facts & Infos We Should Know

The whole world is watching closely.

Everyone is alarmed at the newest health disease outbreak known as the Swine Influenza or Swine Flu virus.

Swine influenza, or “swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.


Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2). Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a "reassortant" virus. Although swine influenza viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans. (source: gmanews research)



The flu was believed to have originated from Mexico, and while there has yet to be a case report on the Philippines, the Department of Health is securing all measures to protect the people.

Click here for additional FAQs on Swine Flu Virus.

Warning Sa Mga Magpepenitensiya

Relative sa mas nauna kong topic tungkol sa mga debotong katoliko na nagpepenitensiya sa pamamagitan ng paghataw ng mga matatalim na bagay sa kanilang likod at sa mga taong nagpapapako sa krus, binalaan ng Department of Health ang mga magpepenitensiya ngayong taong ito na isaalang-alang nila ang kanilang kaligtasan sa kanilang gagawing mga ritwal.

Ayon sa report ng Philstar, pinaalalahanan ni DOH Secretary Francis­co Duque III na sinumang nais magpapako sa Krus ngayong Mahal na Araw ay dapat ding tiyakin na walang kalawang at may kaukulang sanitasyon ang gagamiting pako, maging ang blade na panghiwa sa katawan ng mga nagpepenitensiya upang maiwasang mailagay sa peligro ang buhay at mamatay kung maimpeksiyon ang sugat.

Gayundin sa mga nais bumabad sa matinding araw at magpapako sa sarili at magpepenetensiya, tiyakin na kaya ng kanilang katawan ang sakripisyo upang hindi mahilo o mawalan ng malay na maaring mauwi sa kamatayan.


Oo nga naman. Baka sa halip na maligtas sa kasalanan eh, madisgrasya pa.