This paper outlines the development, purpose, and regional significance of the Mexico City Principles (MCP) for ethical business practices in the biopharmaceutical sector. The Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s adoption of the MCP further underscores the country’s commitment to ethical industry standards, ensuring that pharmaceutical marketing and promotional activities remain aligned with patient welfare and public trust.
 

This legal prescription examines the ethical boundaries between acceptable advertising and prohibited solicitation and fee-splitting within medical practice, as defined by the Philippine Medical Association Code of Ethics and the Medical Act of 1959.

Lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are proven to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, some individuals experience acute coronary events despite normal LDL-C levels. Recent studies have focused on modifiable lipoprotein targets, such as apolipoprotein B (apo-B) and apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-1) and lipoprotein (a), as targets for therapy. Apo-B is the primary apolipoprotein of LDL-C representing total number of atherogenic particles. Apolipoprotein A-1 is the major component of HDL complex. This study will determine the prevalence of elevated apo-B and low apo A-1 among adult Filipinos with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Approximately 40% of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) will require insulin when diet failed to reduce glycemic levels. Insulin analogs have been noted to result in an improved glycemic control and an acceptable safety profile in diabetes mellitus. Our general objective was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pregnancy outcomes of insulin analog versus human insulin in women with GDM.

It is important to wean mechanically-ventilated patients as early as possible to avoid complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia. Supplementing the diet with additional protein may help to stimulate muscle protein synthesis which may enhance respiratory muscle function and ventilator drive. This study aims to determine the effect of whey protein supplementation on the duration of mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit patients of Ospital ng Makati.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predominantly affects individuals at peak age of productivity, and medical costs negatively impact on personal, family and community resources. This study aimed to identify annual medical costs and cost predictors among Filipino SLE patients.

Cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents with or without overt signs of central nervous involvement. The prevalence of CI is variable, ranging from 19-80%. It is often overlooked, leading to high healthcare costs and productivity loss. The usual tools for detection are expensive, time-consuming and not locally available. Detection of CI using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) is more clinically relevant and practical. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of CI in SLE patients using MMSE/MoCA, to determine the degree of impairment in the different cognitive domains, and to characterize patients with CI in terms of disease activity, education, and employment.

Resistant hypertension (RH) is defined as a blood pressure (BP) reading that remains above goal despite concurrent use of three optimally dosed anti-hypertensives of different classes, including a diuretic. Spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, has shown significant benefit in reduction of BP in recent trials and is used empirically as an add-on therapy for RH. The researchers’ objective is to evaluate the BP-lowering efficacy of spironolactone in patients with resistant hypertension.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare and unusual acquired cause of functional duodenal obstruction whose diagnosis can be easily missed without knowledge of this condition. We report a case of a 27-year-old female, presenting with post-prandial vomiting, early satiety, bloatedness and weight loss for about 10 months.

Single coronary artery and coronary artery fistulas are unusual findings either alone or in combination. They may be incidental findings or can present with myocardial ischemia. A 46-year-old male had chest pain accompanied by heart failure symptoms. He sought consult in our institution where further workups revealed that he suffered an acute coronary syndrome.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) characterized by an immune-mediated polyneuropathy. Diagnosis is largely clinical and spontaneous recovery is observed in most cases. Treatment options such as IVIg, plasmapheresis, and steroids have been studied as options to shorten the disease course, but with inconclusive results. A 25-year-old male complained of sudden onset diplopia, gait instability and hand parasthesia.

This is a prospective, post marketing surveillance study that aims to determine the efficacy and safety of sevelamer carbonate in hyperphosphatemic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in the Philippines.