GSK sees Philippines, AP region leading global growth

Hosts 1st AP Leadership Conference in Manila

The Philippines and other emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region are not just serving as bright spots amid the global economic crisis, but are also leading the change in the pharmaceutical industry that is rapidly shaping the world, said Christophe Weber, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Senior Vice President and Area Director for Asia Pacific, during the first GSK Asia Pacific Leadership Conference recently held in Manila.

The country hosted the event gathering 170 senior management members from GSK markets across the region including Australia/New Zealand, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“This conference comes at a crucial time as GSK implements changes to the way we do business in response to the needs of the evolving industry, says Roberto Taboada, GSK Philippines president and managing director. “We are proud to host the first leadership conference as it raises the profile of the Philippines and its employees as a key player in realizing GSK’s global change agenda.”

Growth during a crisis

While admitting that the current economic crisis will also impact GSK, Weber is confident that GSK will fare better than other companies, citing the global organization’s strong support for GSK Asia Pacific to be “bold, very innovative, more entrepreneurial, and to take risks.”

The conference allowed participants to discuss ways to advance the company’s growth strategy during these tough times, which include simplifying its processes, empowering people, building trust, boosting growth through continuous innovation and productivity, and strengthening its vaccines and oncology portfolio.

The company is currently seeing a new era where the growth in Asia consistently pulls away from Europe and North America. “These changes are leading to huge demand for healthcare and greater access to medicines,” Weber explained.

Pioneering initiative improves Filipinos’ access to quality medicines

In line with GSK’s global thrust to transform the business to meet the needs of more patients, the Philippines leads the way as the first country to drop the prices of most of its major medicines by 30 to 50 percent. “This is GSK’s biggest commitment to Filipino patients yet as we continuously work to improve patient access to the best quality medicines,” said Taboada.

GSK has recently implemented price reductions on its cervical cancer vaccine and medicines for pneumonia and other bacterial infections, allergy, ulcer, bronchitis, nausea and vomiting among others. Discounts for its chronic diseases treatments for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and hepatitis B infection are also available under its patient programs.

GSK is also working to become a more active partner of governments worldwide in providing healthcare solutions and fighting disease especially in underserved communities.

In the Philippines, it works with the Department of Health (DOH) in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, the second leading cause of permanent disability in the country. GSK has also partnered with Philhealth in providing healthcare insurance coverage for indigent Filipino families. As a Center of Excellence in conducting clinical trials, GSK Philippines works closely with DOH and the Bureau of Food and Drugs in bringing Filipinos early access to the most advanced medicines.

“Our partnerships and initiatives go beyond developing the business. More importantly, they are about making a more significant impact in helping more people live longer,” added Taboada, referring to GSK’s mission of enabling people to do more, feel better, live longer.

The Philippines hosts the 1st GSK Asia Pacific Leadership Conference at the GSK Corporate Center in Makati City. The country is considered among the key players seen to drive global growth for the pharmaceutical company. Photo shows Christophe Weber, GSK Senior Vice President and Area Director for Asia Pacific (8th from left) and Roberto Taboada, GSK Philippines President and Managing Director (5th from left) with members of the Asia Pacific Management Team.