Takeda Malaysia Sdn Bhd today launched TachoSil®, an innovative haemostat and sealant combination patch to help surgeons achieve treatment goals and deliver optimum patient care during surgery. The media launch was held at Pullman Hotel, Bangsar and I was present to photograph the officiation ceremony in the presence of the press and major media publications from the healthcare industry.
In Malaysia, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major health burden and accounted for an estimated 67 per cent of all mortality in 2008. From 1996 to 2006, Malaysia saw a dramatic increase in the prevalence of behaviour-linked diseases such as cardiovascular, liver and lung diseases. Consequently, this has led to more patients requiring surgery as a means to treat these diseases. The clinical benefits afforded by TachoSil® are also likely to translate into economic advantages for healthcare systems by improving efficiency and reducing costs for patients and hospitals.
Noting the surge in surgeries, Dr Shaharin Shaharuddin, Consultant Surgeon (General and Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery) shared that bleeding remains a technical challenge in surgery and insufficient haemostasis may contribute to postoperative morbidity and mortality which in turn increases patients’ health expenditure.
“Ineffective haemostasis and tissue management increases post-surgery complications that result in higher medical costs from longer hospital stays and the possible need for re-operation. Furthermore, unsuccessful haemostasis and sealing can lead to blood loss, additional operation time, and major organ damage,” explained Dr Shaharin.
TachoSil® is a ready-to-use dual action patch indicated for supportive treatment in surgery for improvement of haemostasis and to promote tissue sealing. It consists of a patch of collagen with human (fibrinogen and thrombin) coagulation factors and is used as suture support in vascular surgery where standard techniques are insufficient.
“By combining the gluing power of fibrin clotting with the support of a collagen patch, TachoSil® delivers enhanced ease-to-use and reliability to quickly and efficiently achieve haemostasis. It also reduces time to haemostasis and leaks in surgery which consequently reduces operating time, patient risk and post-surgery complications,” said Dr Adam Brooks, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
“As a haemostat and sealant patch with strong adhesive properties, TachoSil® controls bleeding and air leaks, and helps tissue recovery. TachoSil® has also demonstrated a proven safety record for use in liver, lung and cardiac surgeries, among others,” added Dr Brooks.
Studies have shown TachoSil® to facilitate haemostasis management considerably by achieving haemostasis in as little as three to five minutes. TachoSil® also offers the benefit of pliability and versatility and provides a liquid and air tight closure by staying firmly in place. It has been demonstrated that TachoSil® is safely absorbed by the body within 12 weeks.
Mr Kwa Kheng Hoe, Managing Director of Takeda Malaysia Sdn Bhd said: “Takeda Malaysia is pleased to make TachoSil® available to patients in Malaysia to enhance post-surgery outcomes. Our entry into the Malaysian market marks our commitment to improving the health of Malaysians as we strive towards better health for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine.”
TachoSil® was approved by the Drug Control Authority of Malaysia in mid-2013 and will be made available in all major hospitals around Malaysia.