Zvolution - Making Healthcare More Accessible

Staying true to its long history of committed partnership with healthcare professionals on Continuing Medical Education (CME) and product innovation, ZP Therapeutics made a grand return to face-to-face CME events in celebration of ZP Therapeutics’ illustrious 100-year history as a leading healthcare industry partner. The ZPT Exposition of Experts in Improving Patient Outcomes 2022, themed “Zvolution -Making Healthcare More Accessible”, was held at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City last 23–24 September 2022 and featured a panel of top-notch speakers whose talks covered a broad range of topics from digital health solutions to Gastroenterology, bone health, immunity as well as critical care in diabetes, and Cardiology. 

 

The event was opened by ZPT General Manager Jeff Folland by welcoming 237 physician participants from all over the Philippines. A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony for the booth opening was led by ZP Therapeutics and was joined by partner medical societies. Dr Philip Nakpil, Medical Director of ZPT, highlighted “Zvolution in Continuing Medical Education”, a reiteration of the company’s unwavering commitment to deliver the highest standard of CME opportunities for healthcare professionals.

 

Simultaneous breakout sessions with engaging multispecialty topics were one of the highlights of the Expo. Each session emphasized ZP Therapeutic’s “Zvolutions” on featured therapeutic areas and imparted the attendees with revolutionary healthcare information and a reintroduction to ZP Therapeutic’s innovative product line. 

Day 1: Zvolution in Gastroenterology, Bone Health and Immunology
Nutrition and lifestyle interventions are considered first-line therapies for many health issues; however, an increasing prevalence of GERD has been documented globally. A promising solution to the unmet needs with the current GERD treatment standard was the prime focus of the Gastroenterology breakout session. 2020 Lifestyle Medicine Physician of the Year, Dr Mechelle Acero-Palma, started with a lecture on nutrition prescription in the management of the acid-related disease. Dr Denis Ngo, Head of the Gastroenterology Section at Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, shared his expertise during the discussion on the management of acid-related disorders with highlights on vonoprazan, an innovator potassium competitive acid blocker (P-CAB). The discussion further intensified through the active participation of the delegates during the open forum facilitated by Dr Ethna Roque Leones.

A review of the current therapeutic options in the management of osteoporosis was provided by Dr. Theresa Marie Faller, Chief of the section of Endocrinology at the World Citi Medical Center. With a high fracture risk in both men and women over the age of 50 due to poor bone health, Dr Faller shared recent amendments to the screening and diagnosis of osteoporosis; the role of postmenopausal hormonal changes in bone loss; and osteoporosis pharmacology. The lecture aimed to provide acumen and a better understanding of the role of biphosphonates such as ibandronic acid in osteoporosis. The session was well attended by doctors from different specialties who were highly engaged during the group discussion with Dr Faller, and with Dr Kim Irving Billones as the moderator. 

“Defying Challenges in Psoriasis: An Evolution in the Treatment of PsO” was presented by Dr Bernardita Ortiz-Policarpio, Head of the Dermatology Center at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital during the Zvolution breakout session, immunology focus. On the spotlight was ixekizumab, a highly effective treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and its mode of action which directly targets IL-17A13, that provides rapid, lasting, and complete clearance. Dr Cecilia Rosete, Vice Chair and Specialty Center Head of the Department of Dermatology, Rizal Medical Center, was the session moderator. 

Day 2: Zvolution in Critical Care in Gastroenterology, Diabetes and Cardiology
Day 2 Plenary commenced with “The Role of Albumin in Liver Disease Management” in line with Zvolution in Critical Care in Gastroenterology. Dr Therese Macatula, Training Officer of the Section of Gastroenterology, The Medical City, discussed how on-treatment serum albumin predicts outcomes that can be used as a guide to therapy with emphasis on a novel perspective on the role of albumin and its long-term use in the management of decompensated liver cirrhosis. 

Maria Marci Cruz, Medical Director of the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Inc., talked about the practical use of clinical trials for glucose control and cardiovascular risk reduction in diabetics, mainly the AWARD trial program and REWIND cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs). The studies showed the benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, dulaglutide. Dr Ethna Roque Leones was the moderator for the Critical Care in Gastroenterology and Diabetes Zvolution plenary. 

In line with Zvolution in cardiology, Dr Christopher Oliver Nazal, cardiovascular consultant at the Cardiovascular Institute, The Medical City, and Dr Paul Lucas, Chairman of the Department of Medicine of Sta. Ana Hospital prompted a case-based discussion on nitrate use in chronic coronary syndrome. Highlights on the use of nitrates in isolated systolic hypertension, which is gaining popularity in clinical settings provided impactful insights to the delegates.

Digital health solutions: The future of healthcare delivery system
Asia’s Millennial Guru and grand winner of the reality TV show “The Apprentice Asia”, Jonathan Yabut, as well as eZHealth Director, Kristian Melquiades, presented the trends in digital health solutions and how the effects of having limited access to healthcare services combined with modern technology have changed the landscape of our healthcare delivery system. Jonathan Yabut, accentuated the impact of having a strong online presence for healthcare professionals and its relevance to current clinical practice; while Kristian Melquiades, outlined how digital communications have redefined healthcare service delivery through mobile applications. Indeed, digital health solutions have bridged gaps in community protocols, providing patients with access to healthcare services during restrictive times. 

Sensuality, Strength, Softness
In a splendid way to cap a hectic day, ZP Therapeutics presented a star-studded “Sex-In-the-City”-inspired dinner-talk show featuring celebrity panelists. Bianca Valero, multimedia and lifestyle events host, fired up the discussions which featured sex and relationships therapist Dr Rica Cruz, model-actress and fitness trainer Aubrey Miles, and St. Luke’s Hospital dermatology consultant Dr Coreen Copuyoc-Sampedro as panelists. 

With Expo 2022, ZP Therapeutics is once more the frontrunner, this time in leading the healthcare industry out of the doldrums of the pandemic. With strengthened industry-wide partnerships as its launching pad, Zvolution is the fresh start the healthcare industry so badly needs as it moves forward into the new normal.