The Road To Good Health With GSK

I know that most warehouses and plants of some companies are located here in Pasig and Cainta, but I did not know that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plant is just a few minutes from me. When we were invited to have a tour of the plant, I just asked them to pick me up somewhere in Ortigas Avenue Extension instead of me going to the pick up point. From Ever Gotesco to GSK plant was fast. We were greeted by their staff and was treated to a hefty breakfast.

After the breakfast, we headed to their conference room and Mr. Edgardo Alvinez (Site Technical Director) gave a brief introduction about the company, its mission, vision and was able to learn about GSK’s Road To Good Health. The company is committed to improve the health of the Filipino by producing quality medicine at the lowest possible price. After that, each one of us got a free shot of flu vaccine.

We were able to see what’s inside the GSK plant and toured their manufacturing plant. For sanitation purpose, we are asked to wear lab gown, wear a mask, sanitation cap for our hair and plastic shoe covers. We were asked to leave our cameras for safety and security purpose. But we have a pro with us (the following photos are the photographer of the tour)

After the tour, we had lunch at Laya Personal Dining inside Pinto Gallery in Antipolo. The lunch was really great and the organic iced tea matches the summer heat.

Dr. Oscar Tinio, Philippine Medical Association head talks about the dilemma and challenge each health care professionals face whenever they treat a patient. That is how it goes in most medical cases, a health care provider will prescribe a medicine and a patient will no be very keen on following what is prescribed. There are so many factors that contributes to it and the top is the availability and afford-ability of the medicine. And what is GSK response to this challenge? Ms Daisy Cembrano, GSK’s VP for Government and External Affairs talked on how GSK are reducing the price of their medicines as a response to this challenge.

GSK also cooperate with the government in ensuring that Filipino health will be improved. GSK Philippine President and managing director Roberto Taboada also elaborate on the quality of medicine GSK are producing and their steps in making these medicine more affordable to every Filipino.

The talk was very informative and enlightened us to what is the real condition of the people in terms of health care. To cap the day, we were able to roam freely inside the gallery and marvel on different art works in different mediums.