Latest news with #GlaxoSmithKlineplc
Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
GSK Pharma gains as Q4 PAT rises 35% YoY to Rs 260 cr; declares dividend of Rs 42/share
Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceutical advanced 3.21% to Rs 2,879.70 after the company's standalone net profit jumped 34.73% to Rs 260.14 crore on a 6.06% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 966.08 crore in Q4 FY25 over Q4 FY24. Profit before tax stood at Rs 354.90 crore, up 32.08% from Rs 268.71 crore in the same period last year. Total expenses declined 3.53% YoY to Rs 650.64 crore. Notably, the cost of materials consumed dropped 43.65% YoY to Rs 108.35 crore, while employee benefits expense fell 11.49% to Rs 152.97 crore. On a full-year basis, the company's net profit jumped 57.19% to Rs 919.06 crore on a 9.28% rise in revenue to Rs 3,723.49 crore in FY25 over FY24. Bhushan Akshikar, managing director of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, said, Our diversified portfolio of general medicines, specialty, and vaccines has shown improved growth due to sustained innovation, enhanced healthcare professional (HCP) engagement, and rapid digital acceleration. This has enhanced reach, expanded coverage, and provided a seamless omnichannel experience for our customers. Our key brands, including Augmentin, Calpol, Ceftum, T-Bact, and Trelegy, have played a significant role in driving growth throughout the year. Shingrix is experiencing increased adoption, driven by heightened awareness and our efforts to develop the adult vaccination ecosystem in the country. The company said it is on track to launch Zejula (Niraparib), a PARP inhibitor for ovarian cancer, and Jemperli (Dostarlimab), an immunotherapy for second-line treatment of endometrial cancer. Meanwhile, the board recommended a final dividend of Rs 42 per equity share for FY25, subject to shareholder approval at the companys 100th Annual General Meeting. GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals is a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline plc, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.
BusinessToday
26-04-2025
- Health
- BusinessToday
Beyond Childhood: The Case For Lifelong Vaccination In Malaysia
By Dr Wong Chuan Loo When most people think of vaccines, childhood immunisations — against measles, mumps or polio —often come to mind. However, in a rapidly aging Malaysia, where seniors are projected to outnumber children by 2050, immunisation must evolve into a lifelong public health strategy. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2024, Malaysia is undergoing a significant demographic shift with profound implications for its healthcare system. This transition underscores the urgent need to strengthen preventative care measures, particularly through adult immunisation. Malaysia's National Immunisation Programme (NIP), introduced in the 1950s as part of a maternal and child health initiative, currently offers free vaccines against 13 childhood diseases – more than double the original six recommended by the World Health Organization Expanded Programme on Immunisation. However, an additional seven recommended vaccines – covering illnesses such as chickenpox, dengue, COVID-19, hepatitis A, meningococcal disease, influenza and rotavirus – are only available at private healthcare facilities for a fee. This two-tiered system limits access for many adults, particularly the elderly. Are Older Malaysians Being Left Behind? While over 90% of Malaysian children are vaccinated against 13 diseases, adults and seniors remain vulnerable to various vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as influenza, pneumonia, and shingles. Influenza alone costs Malaysia RM3.3 billion annually in healthcare expenditures, primarily due to hospitalisations involving unvaccinated seniors. Meanwhile, cervical cancer remains the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Malaysian women, despite the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine being free for teenage girls since 2010. Demographic shifts pose additional challenges such as a shrinking workforce will struggle to support a growing elderly population, and a smaller tax base risks underfunding healthcare even as demand surges. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated immunisation gaps. A joint report by GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and IQVIA found that over 100 million adult vaccine doses were missed in 2021 and 2022 alone. Malaysia must urgently embrace a lifelong vaccination approach to bridge this gap and reduce future public health and economic burdens. Why Lifelong Vaccination Matters Vaccines are not only about preventing illness, but they also enable a better quality of life. In Malaysia, a modeling study found that implementing a national influenza immunisation programme for seniors could prevent over 66,000 influenza cases and more than 3,000 hospitalisations annually. Among diabetics, flu shots reduce hospitalisation risk by 54%. Pneumococcal vaccines lower the risk of pneumonia by 41% in lung disease patients, and reduce mortality by 22% in adults with cardiovascular disease. Expanding HPV vaccination to include boys and men could accelerate progress toward eliminating cervical cancer altogether. Despite the data, adult vaccination uptake remains low. A 2023 study found that while 47% of healthcare employees attributed sick leave to the flu, only 5% of seniors reported receiving the flu vaccine. The reasons are varied: Policy Gaps: Adult vaccines are not included under the NIP. HPV coverage for girls stands at 52%, compared to 96% in Indonesia. Access Barriers: Rural clinics face stockouts, while urban adults may delay vaccines due to mobility or time constraints. Vaccine Hesitancy: Myths surrounding vaccine safety, adverse effects, and halal compliance persist. Misinformation and Pseudoscience Belief: Social media amplifies harmful myths, including belief in 'homeopathic vaccines'. Healthcare Provider Gaps: Some healthcare practitioners lack training or willingness to advocate for adult vaccination, and may even perpetuate misinformation. If unaddressed, these challenges could drive elderly healthcare costs in Malaysia to hit RM21 billion by 2040, with hospital admissions nearly double those of younger age groups. Vaccines as a Lifelong Shield To protect its aging population, Malaysia need a robust, cost-effective, and multi-pronged National Lifelong Vaccination Strategy that combines fiscal pragmatism with public trust. Key recommendations include: Universal Access: Expand the NIP to cover essential adult vaccines (influenza, pneumococcal, and HPV for all genders), leveraging 'sin taxes' on tobacco and sugary drinks or through public-private partnerships to subsidise vaccine dose costs. Transparency on Adverse Events: Launch a public-facing Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) dashboard to clarify facts and dispel myths. Electronic Immunisation Registry: Establish a centralised e-registry to track vaccination status and automate reminders for supplementary boosters. Public Awareness Campaigns: Train healthcare professionals to serve as vaccine advocates and collaborate with religious and community leaders to address halal concerns and misinformation. Corporate Accountability: Offer tax incentives for companies providing employee flu jabs as such programmes can save up to RM90.30 per worker annually in productivity gains. As Malaysia approaches an aged population, vaccines must evolve from a childhood rite to a lifelong shield—an essential investment in national health, productivity, and resilience for every stage of life. The author is a Lecturer at the School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University. Related
