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WHO recommends highly successful COVID-19 therapy; calls for wide geographical distribution, transparency from originator

May 2, 2022 9:46 p.m.

WHO made a strong recommendation for nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, sold under the name Paxlovid, for mild and moderate COVID-19 patients at highest risk of hospital admission, calling it the best therapeutic choice for high-risk patients to date.

However, availability, lack of price transparency in bilateral deals made by the producer, and the need for prompt and accurate testing before administering it, are turning this life-saving medicine into a major challenge for low- and middle-income countries.

Pfizer’s oral antiviral drug (a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir tablets) is strongly recommended for patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at highest risk of developing severe disease and hospitalization, such as unvaccinated, older, or immunosuppressed patients.

This recommendation is based on new data from two randomized controlled trials involving 3078 patients.

The data show that the risk of hospitalization is reduced by 85% following this treatment. In a high-risk group (over 10% risk of hospitalization), that means 84 fewer hospitalizations per 1000 patients.

WHO suggests against its use in patients at lower risk, as the benefits were found to be negligible.

One obstacle for low- and middle-income countries is that the medicine can only be administered while the disease is at its early stages; prompt and accurate testing is therefore essential for a successful outcome with this therapy.

Data collected by FIND show that the average daily testing rate in low-income countries is as low as one-eightieth the rate in high-income countries. Improving access to early testing and diagnosis in primary health care settings will be key for the global rollout of this treatment.

WHO is extremely concerned that — as occurred with COVID-19 vaccines — low- and middle-income countries will again be pushed to the end of the queue when it comes to accessing this treatment.

Lack of transparency on the part of the originator company is making it difficult for public health organizations to obtain an accurate picture of the availability of the medicine, which countries are involved in bilateral deals and what they are paying.

In addition, a licensing agreement made by Pfizer with the Medicines Patent Pool limits the number of countries that can benefit from generic production of the medicine.

The originator product, sold under the name Paxlovid, will be included in the WHO prequalification list  today, but generic products are not yet available from quality-assured sources.

Several generic companies (many of which are covered by the licensing agreement between the Medicines Pool and Pfizer) are in discussion with WHO Prequalification but may take some time to comply with international standards so that they can supply the medicine internationally.

WHO therefore strongly recommends that Pfizer make its pricing and deals more transparent and that it enlarge the geographical scope of its licence with the Medicines Patent Pool so that more generic manufacturers may start to produce the medicine and make it available faster at affordable prices.

Along with the strong recommendation for the use of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, WHO has also updated its recommendation on remdesivir, another antiviral medicine.

Previously, WHO had suggested against its use in all COVID-19 patients regardless of disease severity, due to the totality of the evidence at that time showing little or no effect on mortality.

Following publication of new data from a clinical trial looking at the outcome of admission to hospital, WHO has updated its recommendation. WHO now suggests the use of remdesivir in mild or moderate COVID-19 patients who are at high risk of hospitalization.

The recommendation for use of remdesivir in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 is currently under review. (From World Health Organization)

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HONOR Magic V3 now available with free HONOR Pad X9 worth P9,999

9:45 p.m. November 25, 2024

Global technology brand HONOR recently unfolded its newest and thinnest foldable smartphone HONOR Magic V3 for only P89,999 and is now available nationwide at any HONOR Experience, Partner Stores, Globe Stores and online via Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_MagicV3_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_MagicV3_PR) or TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_MagicV3_PR). 

“HONOR Magic V3 is now within every Filipino’s reach. With many availability options, the thinnest foldable smartphone hits the nationwide market, still with FREE HONOR Pad X9. You are truly getting more than what you paid for,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. 

On November 20, HONOR Philippines officially brought the all-new HONOR Magic V3 in the country – the world’s thinnest inward foldable phone with enhanced durability, battery, display and AI experience, to global consumers. With a sleek folded thickness of 9.2mm and featherlight body weighing just 226g, the HONOR Magic V3 rivals the slimness and weight of a flagship bar phone, ensuring utmost portability for users. 

Featuring a dome-shaped octagonal camera module, the HONOR Magic V3 seamlessly combines the architectural beauty of dome structures with technological innovations. This camera module showcases a diamond cut, adding an element of elegance and sleekness to the device’s overall appearance. 

Adding to its durability, the HONOR Magic V3 incorporates a Special Fiber into its body material, enhancing impact resistance by 40 times compared to other flagship bar phones while reducing the back cover’s thickness by over 30%. Moreover, featuring the proprietary HONOR Super Steel Hinge, the device can withstand up to 500,000 folding cycles and has attained the prestigious SGS Durability Certification. Fortified with the HONOR Super Armored Inner Screen and HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield, the HONOR Magic V3 is crafted to endure the rigors of daily use. 

Equipped with a 6.43-inch external display and a 7.92-inch internal foldable screen, the HONOR Magic V3 delivers an immersive dual-use experience, offering an enjoyable visual journey to users. Dedicated to prioritizing user well-being and comfort, this device incorporates a range of innovative eye-comfort features, such as the world’s first AI Defocus Display technology, 4320Hz Risk-free PWM Dimming, Dynamic Dimming, Circadian Night Display and Natural Tone Display. 

In addition, the HONOR Magic V3 is packed with an advanced 5150mAh Third-generation Silicon-carbon Battery, supported by the lightning-fast 66W Wired and 50W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, ensuring users an uninterrupted and stress-free mobile experience. Featuring the innovative HONOR Falcon Camera System which encompasses a 50MP Periscope Telephoto Camera, a 50MP Main Camera, and a 40MP Ultra-wide Camera, the device promises unparalleled imaging quality and versatility for users seeking stunning smartphone photography. 

Inspired by the wonders of natural landscape, the HONOR Magic V3 comes in two stunning colorways Green and Black for only P89,999, now available nationwide at any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores or online via Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_MagicV3_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_MagicV3_PR) or TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_MagicV3_PR). 

HONOR Magic V3 is also available via Globe Postpaid Plans starting at GPlan Plus 1799 with a FREE HONOR Pad X9 worth P9,999! 

For as low as Php 1,514 per month for 36 months, you can enjoy HONOR Magic V3 with FREE 20GB Data and Unli All-net Call and Text on top of exclusive perks! Go now to the nearest Globe Store it get it online via: https://bit.ly/Globe_MagicV3_PR.

For more information about the HONOR Magic V3, you may visit: https://bit.ly/Web_MagicV3_PR. To be in the loop of exciting updates, follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). 

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foodpanda’s 11.11 Deals: Big savings of up to 50% on Domino’s Pizza, pandamart and foodpanda Shops!

4:59 p.m. November 11, 2024

foodpanda brings a delectable brand day treat this 11.11 with Domino’s Pizza. From November 11 to 13, Domino’s Pizza will give 50% off on selected pizzas so you can sink your teeth on your favorite slices at an unbeatable price! Plus, the excitement continues with pandamart and foodpanda Shops offering up to 50% off on wide range of essentials. Do it all at once with foodpanda’s 11.11 deals!

Brand Day with Domino’s 

This Domino’s Pizza-themed Brand Day features a mouthwatering 50% discount on popular pizzas, with no minimum order required. Don’t miss your favorites:

  • 10” and 14” Ultimate Pepperoni: Packed with classic pepperoni goodness. 
  • 10” and 14” Cheese Mania: A cheesy dream come true! 
  • 10” and 14” Bacon & Mushroom: Perfectly balanced with savory bacon and mushrooms.

Whether it’s delivered to your work desk, picked up for a family feast, or shared with the barkada for a chill hangout, this exclusive Domino’s promo lets you savor pizza your way, any day, anywhere. It’s the perfect slice of happiness—made for every occasion and every craving! 

Half Off, Full Stock: Grab Your Essentials at pandamart and foodpanda Shops!

Alongside the Domino’s deal, you can also enjoy up to 50% off at pandamart and select foodpanda Shops vendors like Ever Supermarket, Watsons, and Shell Select. Stock up on essentials, discover new products, and make your 11.11 celebration even more rewarding.

Make sure to take advantage of these incredible deals from November 11 to 15, 2024, and stock up on essentials at pandamart and foodpanda Shops with up to 50% off. It’s the perfect time to enjoy great food, stock up on your must-haves, and celebrate the season of savings with foodpanda!
For more information about foodpanda and the incredible offers available, visit the official website at https://www.foodpanda.ph. Also like and follow the official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube.

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PH slides to top 4 in Kaspersky’s new global ranking of countries most targeted by online threats

February 5, 2024 9:46 p.m.

In 2023, web threats targeting the Philippines were about two percent less (48%) than in 2022 (49.8%), according to the latest Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) report.

With this new data, the country moved two spots down to fourth place worldwide among countries most targeted by malicious files from the internet and phishing websites. It looks like a positive development but Kaspersky is strongly advising against dropping the armor.  

“There are two things that could explain the drop in web threats, albeit slightly. First is that we see the country is slowly making headway in cybersecurity. We classify the Philippines to be in the intermediate group of countries that are identifying cyberattacks and making efforts to implement rules. The second one and this we have to seriously take note, is that cybercriminals are continuously taking other attack routes that might be off the radar. One trend that we consistently have been seeing lately is their preference for targeted attacks instead of the spray and pray method,” said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. 

“Complacency, however, is still not an option. Cybercriminals continue to develop their tools and techniques. They actually surprise cybersecurity experts all the time. Our mindset should be how to be able to hunt threats before they could cause harm and damage. At this point, I recommend that we should be talking more about threats as we proactively learn to detect and respond to them. This is where threat intelligence comes in handy,” added Yeo.  

Web or online threats are attacks through browsers which are also cybercriminals’ tried and tested way to spread malware. It can easily be done with or without the involvement of the victim. 

A web attack with victim participation is done through social engineering. The victim is tricked into doing something that jeopardizes their personal security or the security of the organization they work for. The objective is to get the victim to respond by clicking an infected email attachment, a compromised website, or responding to a fake unsubscribe notice, among others.  Last year’s data breaches involving a government agency and an e-wallet company, which were each reportedly traced to phishing, are examples of this type of web threat. 

An attack requiring no victim involvement is through drive-by downloads. By simply visiting a compromised website, their device gets infected automatically (and silently) particularly if they failed to apply a security update to one of their apps. This method is used in most web attacks.

In the recent global ranking, the Philippines came behind Mongolia (51.8%), Moldova (48.9%) and Greece (48.8%). Since 2019, the country has consistently been in the top 10 ranking countries. 

Among Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines is trailed by Malaysia with the overall percentage of users attacked by web-borne threats from January to December 2023. 

To stay protected, Kaspersky recommends users the following: 

  • Do not download and install applications from untrusted sources 
  • Do not click on any links from unknown sources or suspicious online advertisements 
  • Create strong and unique passwords, including a mix of lower case and upper case letters, numbers, and punctuation, as well as activating two-factor authentication 
  • Always install updates
  • Ignore messages asking to disable security systems for office or cybersecurity solution 
  • Use a robust cybersecurity solution appropriate to your system type and devices 

For organizations, Kaspersky recommends the following:

  • Always keep software updated on all the devices to prevent attackers from infiltrating network by exploiting vulnerabilities 
  • Use strong passwords to access corporate services. Use multi-factor authentication for access to remote services 
  • Choose a proven endpoint cybersecurity solution for business that is equipped with behaviors-based detection and anomaly control capabilities for effective protection against known and unknown threats 
  • Use dedicated set of effective endpoint protection, threat detection and response products to timely detect and remediate even new and evasive threats 
  • Use the latest threat intelligence information to empower your security experts
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