BMS Champions in Socio-cultural Night
(September 2008)
As this year’s Laguna Medical Society themes the Socio-cultural Night with “Hollywood Silverscreen” Movies held last September 19, 2008 at the Performing Arts Theater of the University of Perpetual Help Laguna, numerous “celebrity” MDs filled the evening with glamour and vibe.
With former PMA President Dr Jose Sabili as one of the guests and judges, presidents and members of the various medical societies in the
The Biñan Medical Society garnered
With its main cast fully-costumed in glittery gold and multi-colored satin,
Dr. Marcus Brillantes and Dr. MariRose Ramos were both awarded Stars of the Night while our very own Chair Dr. Amelita Brillantes and BMS President
Dr. Jocelyn Rosales portrayed the role of Meryl Streep’s bestfriends. Residents, UPH Graduates, Consultants including former BMS President
Dr. Jun Lasala danced delightfully to the colorful choreography of Arnel.
Running
Solvay Pharma Inc. was sponsor in the event while venue was made available thru the assistance of Dr. Anna Sofia Victoria T. Salazar-Fajardo.
The Champion, “Mamma Mia”, will present its musical play once again on
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Dr. Brillantes as Guest Speaker
As the Southern Tagalog region beams with a great array of medical centers and health experts, the
Our Chair Dr. Amelita Catalan- Brillantes was invited as guest speaker on “Lipid Management updates: Targeting beyond just LDL” where she emphasized on the importance of raising patients; HDL levels aside from lowering triglycerides and LDL cholesterol through the help of the long-studied drug nicotinic acid (Niacin).
The Coronary Disease Project (CDP) spearheaded by Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) highlights the re-entry of Niacin as a prime cholesterol-lowering agent which may be combined with statins.
When asked on how Niacin can be used for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, Dr. Brillantes noted that although there are no really randomized control trials, based on expert experience, “it would not be wise to remove these medications once the patent has been started on it prior to the CKD.” She, however, raised the already evident need to take particular care in using multiple agents in patients with CKD to prevent further complications.
Combination of Niacin whether with statins or fibrates has been another area of debate. Dr. Brillantes recalled that although there are no hard and fast rules as to whether fibrates should be prioritized over statin-niacin combination, she prefers using two agents with two different mechanisms of action to effect potentiation, thus, niacin with statins. Also citing the CDP study of MSD, she mentions mortality rates were tremendously decreased by 11% by using even niacin alone and that even though past studies have shown fear on the use of Niacin due to its major side effect - flushing, MSD is currently coming out with several researches into developing extended-release reformulations to possibly improve its delivery.
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