EUROLAB: Eurolab Boasts CEO of the Year

For those active in healthcare, the pandemic was not a reason to shut up shop. There was no heading to hibernate, working from home and emerging into the new normal when the threat passed. Healthcare workers and innovators were and are the proverbial frontline.

While Covid-19 raged in communities, and as its newest iteration continues to disrupt, those fighting existing conditions have witnessed resources directed away from the vital ongoing work.

In January 21, the University of Oxford published a study in scientific journal, The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, suggesting that the likelihood of undiagnosed bowel cancer cases emerging as a result of lockdowns was high. It found that, in the UK, there were 3500 fewer cases diagnosed that expected between April and October 2020. Unfortunately, this scenario is the same around the world, where patients were either not allowed into healthcare spaces, or became too scared to attend.

In South Africa, before the pandemic became a healthcare priority, cancer was already an underserved problem. The country, and the wider sub-Saharan region, faces higher than average fatality rates and many cases are preventable. According to a study from John Hopkins University (JHU), ‘opportunities exist for vaccination programs for cervical and liver cancer, genetic testing and use of new targeted therapies for breast and prostate cancer, and positive changes in lifestyle for lung, colorectal and bladder cancers’.

The number of cancer cases in Africa is expected to grow significantly over the next decade as a young population ages and detection technology access improves. But more investment, attention, and expertise is needed to fight this illness which has never been given the required consideration. ‘Even though cancer death rates have surpassed those of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, there remains a lack of commitment to fighting cancer in Africa,’ the paper from JHU reads. ‘Due to the cost of care and the absence of facilities, cancer mortality rates are expanding in Africa. Cancer death rates in Africa are projected to exceed the global average by 30% in the next 20 years’.

DRIVING DOWN COST

But those involved in the industry have long-realised the need around cancer diagnoses and treatment. Eurolab, South Africa’s largest generic oncology company – providing the most innovative in cancer treatment, cancer management and cancer care – is bringing the cost of quality treatment down significantly, allowing for more access to lifesaving medicine.

“In keeping with our vision to bring down the cost of cancer treatment and expand access to care, we are proud to announce the launch of Eurolen, South Africa’s first lenalidomide generic,” says Eurolab CEO, Lynne du Toit.

“Historically, the only lenalidomide product on the market cost over R60,000 per box. Over an average maintenance course of treatment, a patient needed to pay over R720,000 per year. Most medical aids cover R200,000 per year for cancer treatment, leaving patients to fork out a co-payment of over R520,000 for a chance to survive their cancer.”

Lauded as a source of new hope for South Africans with multiple myeloma, Eurolen – launched in January – is set to change the future for people living with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer in which cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow. These cells produce abnormal proteins that can damage the organs rather than creating helpful antibodies.

“Eurolen costs R8711 per 25 mg box. By slashing the cost of treatment down by over R10,000 per month, we are offering renewed hope to South Africans fighting multiple myeloma. Patients who are treated with Eurolen will therefore be fully covered by their annual medical aid oncology benefit.

“Furthermore, treatment of multiple myeloma can last eight years and beyond, meaning that patients needed to pay some R4 million in co-payments. It was clear to us that something needed to be done: the cost of lenalidomide in South Africa is out of reach for most people,” says du Toit.

This initiative talks to the very nature of Eurolab, established in 2011 to improve access to cancer treatment by driving affordability. In its relatively short life, the company has already driven down the price of cancer medication in South Africa by as much as 53% in some molecules in its direct market, and as much as 31% in molecules where it does not compete.

“Internationally and locally, the originator of lenalidomide has long been associated with profiteering at the expense of cancer patients,” says du Toit. “Currently, there is an ongoing United States enquiry regarding the price of the lenalidomide originator, where executives continue to receive massive salaries directly related to the price of the drug.”

As well as medication, the cost of diagnosing cancer in patients is also coming down, thanks to Eurolab. The company introduced the Aseptic Services Unit, the Gamma Knife, and Oncolab, and has managed to retain highest quality standard while driving down price. A proven track record of providing the least expensive cancer treatment is something of which Eurolab is keen to promote.

“Today, patients are paying less than half of what they were in 2010. Our strategic focus remains on driving down costs, enhancing care and making more treatments, therapies and technologies available to cancer patients,” says du Toit.

ONCOLAB TESTING

Eurolab is home to world-class laboratory equipment through its Oncolab division. A highly skilled team mans a flow sorter, magnetic bead sorting, 10-colour flow cytometers and next generation sequencing.

Early in the pandemic onset, Eurolab knew it could put its existing expertise to use and assist in testing sphere. This has become perhaps one of the most important arenas in the battle against the virus.

It used Oncolab to deliver PCR testing and next generation sequencing before assisting in the vaccine rollout in rural areas. At the Sabi Sand nature reserve in Mpumalanga, Eurolab joined forces with Dis-Chem and the Sabi Sand reserve to provide more than 2000 vaccines to staff and volunteers. While Dis-Chem set up the vaccines, Eurolab supported the drive and is delivering a promise for a remote testing site in the region at Dixie Village, saving people from the two-hour drive to the next nearest site. Currently, vaccination stats in Mpumalanga remain low and there is a need to speed up rollout. The threat of the virus to unvaccinated individuals is now well-documented in the scientific community.

Oscar Mthimkhulu, CEO of the Sabi Sand, said: “This vaccine drive aims to achieve reserve and community-wide immunity, attract visitors back to one of South Africa’s major eco-tourism destinations and retain jobs. Tourism in South Africa has been hard-hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, and Mpumalanga has not been spared.”

Ivan Saltzman, Dis-Chem Pharmacies CEO, added: “We are pleased that we were able to lend our expertise in setting up this mass vaccine site at the Sabi Sand and hope that this effort will boost tourism in the area. It also demonstrates our commitment to expanding vaccine access. Dis-Chem Pharmacies is directly involved in the national vaccine rollout and has established numerous vaccine sites across the country. We can set up vaccine sites where they are needed.”

Lynne du Toit was excited about assisting in an area where services will make a real difference. “The more jabs we can get into arms, the quicker South Africa can return to a sense of normality across all sectors, and especially health, eco-tourism and conservation,” she said. “The Covid-19 testing station set up by our specialised testing facility, Oncolab, will make it easy and quick for guests and staff to take a test and get their results on the same day.”

CEO OF THE YEAR

In November, du Toit was praised for her work in the industry at the Congress of Pharmaceutical Ingredients (CPhI) Worldwide Awards ceremony. The South African picked up the coveted CEO of the Year trophy, beating out seven competitors from companies around the world.

The CPhI Excellence in Pharma: CEO of the Year Award was given at a ceremony in Milan and judges applauded du Toit’s bold, forward-looking leadership, dynamism and contribution to the wider industry.

The company’s ability to offer a whole-of cancer-solution to oncologists and their patients, while lowering costs is viewed as a life-changing offering from a private business, set up by former nurse, midwife and medical rep du Toit alongside Gabe Simaan, Chairman of the Eurolab group.

“Back then, pharma reps were mostly women and the management teams primarily men. Women have had to apply themselves smartly and carefully juggle family and professional demands to hold their own and show their grit alongside their male executives,” du Toit said in Italy.

“I dedicate this award to my hard-working team at Eurolab in South Africa; to scientists and developers who advance cancer treatment to improve outcomes for cancer patients; to cancer patients in SA and across the world; to oncologists and healthcare workers who care for these patients; and also to all women CEOs who have had to balance family and work commitments to get ahead,” she added.

“By 2018, Eurolab had driven the price patients were paying for chemotherapy down by over 50%, while the rest of the market experienced an average increase of over 30%. The financial burden of cancer remains one of the biggest challenges for families who are experiencing this disease, and Eurolab is proud that today, patients are required to pay less than half of what they had to pay for oncology medicine in 2010.”

In South Africa, official unemployment figures came in at over 40% in the latest data set from Stats SA. The country’s business leaders, for the sixth consecutive year, cited economic uncertainty as a major issue around proceeding with investment decisions. The government continues to grapple with power, water and health issues around the country’s vaccine rollout. Clearly, the issues in South Africa will not disappear overnight. If any certainty can be had right now, it is that more people will suffer cancer, and treatment remains too expensive for the majority. It’s a problem that can, and must, change. Eurolab is at the forefront of this demand, and that – alongside its fantastic people – is what makes it an industry leader.

“We are working tirelessly on widening access to innovative treatments, solutions and collaborations to strengthen the oncology response in SA in the face of the growing incidence of cancer.

“We believe that every cancer patient deserves the best chance of treatment success,” said du Toit.