Mundipharma launches antiemetic for cancer patients in Singapore
Without the appropriate antiemetic prophylaxis (or preventive treatments taken against nausea and vomiting), 70 to 80% of all cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatments experience one of its most common and distressing side effects called chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
Uncontrolled CINV can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients who are having chemotherapy, as well their ability to continue with their usual daily activities. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting may also discourage patients from continuing with chemotherapy.
Effective management of CINV is, therefore, a very important part of the overall care plan for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy.
Now, cancer patients in Singapore have access to a new antiemetic drug from Switzerland-based cancer care company Helsinn Healthcare SA.
The exclusive rights to distribute Akynzeo, the first and, for the time being, only long-lasting, dual-action, single capsule for CINV prophylaxis, has been granted to Mundipharma, a pharmaceutical industry leader that provides accessible analgesia, oncology and consumer health solutions.
Akynzeo is a combination of netupitant and palonosetron that is indicated for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat course of cancer chemotherapy, included, but not limited to, highly emetogenic chemotherapy. These highly emetogenic treatments have more than 90% risk of causing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Netupitant is a highly-selective Neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist while palonosetron is a clinically and pharmacologically distinct 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. Both are used for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting caused by surgical or chemotherapy treatments.
This new antiemetic drug targets two critical CINV pathways in one capsule that is effective up to five days.The current treatment involves multiple doses of multiple medicines that have to be administered over five days beginning at the start of every chemotherapy cycle.
Studies have shown that the efficacy of Akynzeo were better than currently available antiemetics and is maintained across multiple cycles of chemotherapy. Out of the patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy, 99% reported no vomiting and no significant nausea on day one after chemotherapy and that figure remained as high as 90% for days two-five.
This new anti-CINV medicine has been recommended by three international guidelines: the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the American Society for Clinical Oncology and MASCC/ESMO (Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer / European Society of Medical Oncology).
Mundipharma has significant presence in Singapore and expertise in cancer supportive care, particularly CINV. Mundipharma also distributes the anti-CINV medicine Aloxi, from Helsinn Healthcare SA, in Singapore.
During an event that was recently held for the official launching of the anti-CINV medicine, Dr. Wong Seng Weng, Medical Director & Consultant Specialist in Medical Oncology, The Cancer Centre (TCC) in Singapore said, “At TCC our aim is to work closely with partners, who continue to break new grounds in the provision of healthcare services. Akynzeo is one such drug which we believe will be of immense value to patients.”
According to Raman Singh, President, Mundipharma Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa, CINV can be seriously debilitating for patients while its treatment is complicated to adhere to.
But the introduction of this new anti-CINV medicine for cancer sufferers in Singapore demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering innovation treatments to patients in the country and ultimately improving their quality of life, Singh added.
