News & Updates

Obesity is a serious chronic health condition that contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the 2024 National Health and Morbidity Survey, one in two Malaysian adults are either overweight or obese (53.6%). Current treatment recommendations for obesity include lifestyle interventions, bariatric surgery and pharmacological therapies. Pharmacological options primarily consist of subcutaneous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and oral drugs such as phentermine and naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl(N/B).

Two eminent experts discuss the management of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using evidence-based therapies during a Boehringer-Ingelheim sponsored symposium in Kuala Lumpur.

Professor Emeritus Dr Chan Siew Pheng shares a case study on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and discusses treatment strategies designed to slow disease progression and delay the need for laser therapy in patients.

The burden of T2DM and obesity continues to escalate in Malaysia, as highlighted by findings from the National Health and Morbidity Surveys (NHMS) 2023. Approximately 3.6 million Malaysian adults (15.6%) are currently living with T2DM, yet two in five remain unaware of their diabetic status. Among those who are aware, more than half (56%) do not have good glycaemic control. Notably, the mean BMI among individuals with T2DM has increased from 28 kg/m² in the 2008 DiabCare study to 30 kg/m² in the 2024 TARGET-T2D study, reflecting a growing trend of obesity in this population. In parallel, national obesity rates have surged from 4.4% in 1996 to 21.8% in 2023, with more than half of Malaysian adults now classified as overweight or obese.

Held in June 2025 in Singapore, the Pfizer COVID-CONNECT Masterclass convened international experts to discuss the evolving challenges of COVID-19. Co-chaired by Dr Asok Kurup and Dr Luke Moore, this event assessed the ongoing global impact of the disease and explored evidence-based strategies across the patient journey from early identification to effective treatment.

At the recent COVID-CONNECT Masterclass, an expert-led session explored where COVID-19 stands among common viral infections today. In a non-promotional symposium supported by Pfizer, infectious disease specialist Dr Leong Hoe Nam, Mount Elizabeth Hospital Novena, Singapore, discussed strategies for managing viral infections and surge preparedness. Complementing this, Professor David Strain from the University of Exeter Medical School, UK highlighted the enduring burden of long COVID.

The growing range of treatment options for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has made first-line decisions more complex and more critical. Patients are increasingly more aware of new and different treatment options and are seeking therapies that align with their personal values. As survival outcomes continue to improve, shared decision-making (SDM) plays a vital role in individualising care by integrating clinical evidence with what matters most to each individual. This article explores how SDM can support patient-centred care, drawing on insights from Professor James Yang and patient advocate Mark Brooke.

A prominent nephrologist discusses the effects of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) on blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Expert discusses the effects of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) on blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients with a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) risk profiles.

A senior obstetrician and gynaecologist consultant deep dives into reducing the risk of threatened miscarriage using a progestogen with established efficacy and safety profile to fulfil the dream of motherhood among his patients.