Pfizer Malaysia, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity and Sunway Multicare Pharmacy Collaborate to Raise Awareness on the Importance of Early Detection of Atrial Fibrillation

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pfizer Malaysia, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity and Sunway Multicare Pharmacy, have entered a tripartite collaboration on AF360, a program highlighting the importance of early detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). AF is a devastating heart disease that leads to negative health outcomes and is associated with a five-fold increased risk of stroke^[1]. As AF can be intermittent and asymptomatic, a person may not notice symptoms before a serious event occurs^[2]. The early detection of AF and appropriate management is essential to reduce the stroke risk in patients^[1].

In the initial phase of the AF360 campaign, Pfizer, via its distributor, has provided registered medical portable ECG screening devices to Sunway Multicare Pharmacy outlets in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, where pharmacists will provide education and screening, and if required, will refer patients to Sunway Medical Center Velocity for further diagnosis and initiate timely and appropriate clinical care. The program empowers the public to seek care by heightening awareness of AF, its associated stroke risk and detection modalities, closing the loop to increase urgency and proactiveness towards AF diagnosis. 

Luksanawan Thangpaibool, Country Cluster Lead for Pfizer Malaysia, Brunei & Pakistan said, "The AF360 partnership closes the loop beginning with increased patient literacy, to meeting patients where they are in the community, tackling diagnosis gaps and ensuring clinical case for better patient outcomes. Pfizer is delighted to partner Sunway Medical Centre Velocity and Sunway Multicare Pharmacy to fight against heart disease as part of our established heritage in cardiology."

Dr Wee Tong Ming, Medical Director and Consultant Emergency Physician from Sunway Medical Centre Velocity shared, "Ischemic heart disease remained as one of the major causes of death in Malaysia, constituting to 13.7% of fatalities in recent years^[3] and there has been an unfortunate increase in the occurrence of sudden deaths. With this partnership, we look forward to creating more awareness on the importance of heart health and bridging the diagnosis gaps by providing the first step towards detecting any heart abnormalities."

Ricky Lim Li Qi, General Manager of Sunway Multicare Pharmacy added, "With this partnership, we strive to support the patient's need in providing comprehensive services, including heart health screenings, educational resources and personalized counselling. We look forward to promoting a heart-healthy lifestyle and raise awareness of the disease within our community."

For more information about Atrial Fibrillation, www.afjourney.com.my

Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com.my and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/PfizerMY.

About Sunway Medical Centre Velocity

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity is situated in the township of Sunway Velocity, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The hospital offers comprehensive tertiary healthcare services with a capacity of 237 beds, 62 consultant suites and 6 operating theatres. Its range of medical services include facilities and advanced medical technologies for outpatient and inpatient specialty care, health and wellness programs and 24-hour emergency services.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity has Centres of Excellence with specialized medical services to its patients. Each centre is supported by experienced medical professionals and equipped with digitally advanced technologies to provide patients with the best possible care. Among the Centres of Excellence in SMCV are Women and Children Centre, Neuro Centre, Heart and Lung Centre, Orthopaedic Centre, and Weight Management Centre.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity is an Award-Winning Hospital, recently recognized by Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards as the 2023 Emerging Company of the Year for its extensive facilities, outstanding services and digitalization approach in delivering the best patient care, aside for its commitment in being the first hospital in Malaysia to commit to Race to Zero, a global campaign led by the United Nations to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

This hospital was also awarded by Globalhealth Asia Pacific Awards 2022 with three awards acknowledging the quality of its healthcare services. Aside from being named Best New Hospital in Asia Pacific, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity was also named Obstetrics and Gynaecology Service Provider of the Year and Wellness Service Provider of the Year.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity is part of Sunway Healthcare Group which comprises of Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, Sunway Specialist Centre Damansara, Sunway Medical Centre Penang and Sunway Medical Centre Singapore. Sunway Healthcare Group is affiliated with the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Cambridge, Royal Papworth Hospital and Harvard Medical School to further meet the demands of clinical care, education, and research. For more information on Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, please visit: www.sunmedvelocity.com.my

Sunway Multicare Pharmacy: We Care We Serve

Sunway Multicare Pharmacy was formed in 2021 following a merger between Sunway Pharmacy and Multicare Pharmacy. It had grown from a single outlet in Cheras back in year 2000, to become one of the leading pharmaceutical retailers now in Malaysia.

Led by a knowledgeable and experienced management team, Sunway Multicare Pharmacy outlets have now successfully expanded to more than 110 stores nationwide. It remain committed to providing the best healthcare options for the customers through an atmosphere of professionalism, respect and effective communication that continuously improves the quality of life of the customers. For more information, visit www.sunwaymulticare.com.my

References

1. Lei, N., Kareem, M., Moon, S. K., Ciaccio, E. J., Acharya, U. R., & Faust, O. (2021). Hybrid decision support to monitor atrial fibrillation for stroke prevention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 813. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020813
2. Screening for asymptomatic AF brings potential benefits, many questions. (2021, August 17). www.healio.com/. https://www.healio.com/news/cardiology/20210812/screening-for-asymptomatic-af-brings-potential-benefits-many-questions (accessed 2 August 2023)
3. Department of Statistics Malaysia. https://www.dosm.gov.my/portal-main/release-content/statistics-on-causes-of-death-malaysia-2022 (accessed 2 August 2023)

SOURCE Pfizer Malaysia