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https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2013/0713_01.html
In the lead-up to the 2014 meeting of the heads of state of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations, which will be held in China, the Chinese government hosted the APEC China CEO Forum 2013 on July 13 in Beijing.
Tatsuo Higuchi, President and CEO of Otsuka Holdings, participated in this forum as a speaker in the panel discussion on Chinese economic issues and development. Otsuka was invited by the Chinese government to participate in this CEO forum because of Otsuka’s innovation in health care issues, including pharmaceuticals, and track record in business development in China and Asia. The panel discussion meeting room was packed with 400 government VIPs and industry representatives.
The theme of the panel discussion was “Future innovation in technology will come not from the West, but from the East – Do You Agree?” President Higuchi’s presentation covered the following topics.
(1) Innovations, regardless of their geographical origin, are universally recognized and spread worldwide, and become further refined through this process. A long-term outlook is essential when discussing the impact and unexpected historical developments resulting from innovations. As one example, Susumu Tonegawa, who in 1987 had been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the genetic principle for generation of antibody diversity, had begun his studies in Japan, but later moved to the United States in order to study molecular biology, and then moved to Europe in order to study immunology, and it was through the fruits of his studies in different regions that he made his discovery. Gunpowder and paper were invented more than one thousand years ago in China and, through this same process of interaction and combination, subsequent discoveries and the development of the printing press in the West became possible.
(2) As with other scientific discoveries, new drug development requires continual effort, investment, and combinations of different technologies, from basic research through to manufacture, and a long-term outlook is indispensable for drug discovery innovation. As one example, a new drug for schizophrenia that Otsuka had discovered took more than 20 years of persistent research to bring to market, and during that time the company continued to seek out new ways to address unmet medical needs in schizophrenia.
(3) In many fields, including medicine, innovation has spread from West to East, or vice-versa. Innovations emerge based on people’s true needs, and succeed globally irrespective of their place of origin. Taking Japan as an example, Japanese society is right now confronting the problem of an increasingly elderly population, but this very problem will provide many opportunities for innovation in medical and health care for elderly societies.
(4) I would like to talk about Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s expansion in China as a way of explaining the effects that different time frames, societies, and environments have on innovation. In 1976, after the Tangshan Earthquake, the Chinese government realized the need for intravenous drip infusions manufactured using advanced technology, and asked Otsuka to manufacture them in China. In 1981, Otsuka Pharmaceutical became the first Japanese pharmaceutical company to open a plant in China together with the Chinese government. At that time, there was no system in place in China for accepting foreign investment. Otsuka nevertheless made the decision to invest, and the Otsuka Group now has twenty-seven companies in China.
(5) Innovation requires communication, effort, education, and attention to the surrounding societal and physical environment. More than anything, innovation requires diversity in cultures, organizations, and technologies, a fact that Otsuka has kept firmly in mind as we continue to develop new products, from our pharmaceutical drug business to our nutraceutical business. Innovation occurs through the interaction and combination of Eastern and Western elements.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2013/0710_01.html
Ten years ago, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, together with Otsuka Pakistan Ltd. with 24 other Otsuka Group companies operating in Asia and the Middle East, founded the Otsuka Welfare Clinic in Peshawar, Pakistan to provide free medical service to Afghan refugees in need.
Driven into Pakistan by conflict in Afghanistan, 1.8 million refugees were living in camps and were desperately short of food and clothing much less medical care.
Since the opening of Otsuka Welfare Clinic, more than 687,000 people have visited the clinic.
As a health company, the Otsuka Group sought to find a way to directly help refugees in the field. The clinic also treats local residents and helps to relieve the burden of other medical facilities in the area that are flooded with patients.
Although many corporations and organizations were providing various sorts of relief supplies to the refugees, Otsuka Group companies decided to join forces to establish a free medical clinic managed by Otsuka Pakistan, in order to directly assist people suffering from sickness and ailments.
The clinic currently employs eight regular staff, including three physicians, assisted by nurses, pharmacists and midwives. The clinic mainly sees women and children, providing treatment for respiratory, digestive, dermatological, obstetric and gynecological ailments as well as ophthalmology and otolaryngology.
In July 2010, heavy flooding caused by severe rainfall in the region caused considerable damage at the nearby Aza Khel Refugee Camp. Clinic staff traveled to the area to set up a temporary treatment facility to provide care for people.
In December 2011, Japan’s ambassador to Pakistan bestowed recognition to the Otsuka Welfare Clinic for its outstanding contribution to community welfare through the provision of free medical, and having a positive influence on Japan-Pakistan relations.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2013/0705_01.html
In July, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bener Meriah in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, North West Sumatra, Indonesia followed by 5.5 and 5.3 magnitude aftershocks. About 40 people were killed and more than 2000 were injured by the quake. This massive quake also destroyed more than 6000 houses. As displaced victims started to congregate with nearly no possessions with them, PT Amerta Indah Otsuka immediately responded to their needs.
The Sales and Promotion team in Medan and Distributor team in Lhokseumawe quickly set into motion a delivery plan. The team left Medan Branch on July 4th at 11:00PM and drove eight hours and arrived in Lhokseumawe at 7:00AM the next day. Then the total team of five drove another four hours to the affected areas and distributed POCARI SWEAT until 9:00PM of that day.
Many roads were still closed due to the earthquake and that is why it took so long to find the camp locations, but that did not deter the staff from delivering the much needed beverages to the victims, a total of 9,600 bottles of POCARI SWEAT.
It was only after the team made sure that all the bottles were properly distributed into the hands of the victims that the Otsuka staff returned to Medan, which took another eight hours. We are extremely proud how swift our response to the natural disaster was and will continue to find ways to assist should such a need arise again!