Leading consumer healthcare brand Difflam^® is thrilled to win the Marketing & Communications Initiative of the Year – Philippines at the prestigious Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2025 in recognition of its Difflam® Lozenges (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl) Study with the ‘Push Your Best Self Forward’ campaign.

Executives of iNova Pharmaceuticals proudly received the award from Healthcare Asia. (From L-R: Allen Cayabyab, National Sales Manager – Ethical, HiG; Dr. Chelit Valera, Regional Medical Director; Pikay dela Cruz, Marketing Director; Elena Lam, Country Manager; and Ria Enriquez, Product Manager.)

Speaking about the Award, Mr. Sacha Ernst, President AMENA iNova Pharmaceuticals commented, “We are honoured to be recognised today by the Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards.”

“At iNova, we strive to deliver innovative products and meaningful initiatives that help improve the health and wellbeing of Filipinos everyday. The successful delivery of the recent Difflam® Lozenge (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl) Study and ‘Push Your Best Self Forward’ campaign is a great example of the positive impact we can make in our community.”

The clinical study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Difflam® Lozenges, containing the active ingredients Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl, in easing sore throats in COVID-19 patients. Results demonstrated that Difflam® Lozenges (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl) helped reduce throat pain and may even shorten the duration of COVID-19 infection due to its potential antimicrobial effects against SARS-CoV-2 through the Cetylpyridinium Cl component. This was supported by meaningful improvements in the median Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores. (Nailes JM, et al. Archives of Infect Diseases & Therapy ;2023;7(2):60-68)

Ms. Elena Lam, iNova Country Manager, Philippines commented, “iNova wanted to invest in practical, real-world evidence that would provide confidence to healthcare professionals in providing advice to patients on how and when to treat sore throat pain using Difflam® Lozenges (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl).”

“The publication of the clinical study was also supported by a robust national education series to ensure healthcare professionals were well informed about the study.”

“With the cut-through creative consumer marketing campaign ‘Push Your Best Self Forward’, we wanted to leverage the study results to encourage Filipinos to focus on improving their personal health and wellbeing underscoring the importance of maintaining good health practices and holistic wellbeing.”

“We are incredibly proud that together, the Difflam® Lozenges (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl) clinical study and our supporting communication and marketing initiatives, has supported Filipinos in their journey to better health.  Across Asia and in particular The Philippines, Difflam^® continues to grow in a challenging and highly competitive market. ” said Ms. Lam.

This is an exciting time of growth for iNova as the company continues to invest in our business in The Philippines following the successful acquisition of the Mundipharma Consumer Health business, anchored by the iconic Betadine® brand in 2024.

 “As a leader in the consumer health industry, iNova is committed to investing in meaningful science to innovate and provide health solutions for Filipino healthcare professionals, patients and consumers across all of our leading brands. The continued expansion of our leading Difflam^® range of throat and mouth care products is a great example of this,” concluded Mr. Ernst.