Otsuka: Reaching Milestones in health care

MANILA, Philippines - In shielding millions of people from ill health, one company stands out in its unbroken tradition of creativity, the drive to be first and best in class, and the passion to make a difference.

Japanese pharmaceutical company Otsuka was established in 1921 by a man named Busaburo Otsuka, in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan.

His namesake company also borrowed its name from the Japanese word otsuka, which means milestone. Indeed, Otsuka Pharmaceutical lives up to the very meaning of its name: that significant points in development were achieved.

From pharmaceuticals to nutraceuticals, Otsuka Pharmaceutical has consistently developed products born from a unique sense of genius. It does not run by a “me-too” culture, as it strives to be a “me-first” company.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s passion for bolder science is apparent in its constant quest for out-of-the-ordinary, life-enhancing, and life-saving solutions.

It all began in 1965 when Otsuka Pharmaceutical set up its R&D with the objective of developing new pharmaceutical products. In his determination to go global by 1980, Akihiko Otsuka gave the laboratory an English motto: “80 World Famous Otsuka.”

Otsuka Pharmaceutical had its sights to make itself a truly world-class company — that vision is now a reality. Today it has a worldwide presence, with operations in the United States, Europe, and all over Asia, including the Philippines.

Official operations of Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical Inc. (OPPI) began in January 1998 with 65 employees, composed mainly of medical representatives deployed nationwide promoting Otsuka products.

These products include Meptin (procaterol), a bronchodilator; Mikelan (carteolol), a beta blocker; Aminoleban Injection and Aminoleban EN (amino acids) for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy and nutritional supplement for liver failure patients; and its banner product, Pletaal (cilostazol), an antiplatelet agent.

Over the years of its incorporation, OPPI continues to grow despite many economic and political issues.

In 2003, Mucosta (rebamipide), a cytoprotective agent indicated for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer, was launched.

To address the concerns of many patients taking Aminoleban EN, Aminoleban ORAL was launched in 2004. The more-affordable, better-tasting Aminoleban Oral offers the same nutritional value as the Aminoleban EN.

In October 2005, OPPI tried its hand on the antipsychotics market with the launch of Abilify (aripiprazole). The drug-eluting stent Firebird was then launched in August 2006 and a year later, OPPI tested the water in the consumer market with its isotonic drink, Pocari Sweat.

OPPI president and general manager Leopoldo Dimerin said Otsuka abides by a singular guiding philosophy creating new products for better health worldwide.

“Here in the Philippines, we live up to our name by providing products that make a milestone difference in the health and lives of Filipinos. We draw from the Japanese principles of innovation, teamwork, and concern for people, and blend these principles with OPPI’s values of integrity, quality, professionalism, loyalty, and a sense of urgency to fuel an enduring promise to care for Filipinos in ways that only Otsuka can deliver,” Dimerin said.