Bioflor: PPM and Biocodex open a new chapter in Cambodia

On October 3, at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, PPM (Pharma Product Manufacturing) and the French laboratory Biocodex sealed a new stage in their partnership: the official relaunch of Bioflor on the Cambodian market. The product stays the same, but it is changing hands. PPM is now responsible for its promotion and exclusive distribution in the Kingdom.

Organised by PPM's local commercial department, the day was held in two parts: a medical seminar in the morning and the relaunch ceremony in the afternoon.

Five hundred doctors focus on gut flora

Devoted to the “management and treatment of diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea”, the seminar brought together nearly 500 doctors, in the room or online via Zoom. Three specialists took the floor in turn. Associate Professor Chhay Vithia opened the proceedings with a talk on microbial and intestinal health. Dr San Channa, a hepato-gastroenterologist and proctologist at Calmette Hospital, described the damage suffered by the gut flora during acute diarrhoea and diarrhoea caused by antibiotics. His Calmette colleague, gastroenterologist Dr Cheang Sidet, explained why the effectiveness of a probiotic depends on the strain used.

Summing up the question-and-answer session, Professor Chhay Vithia stressed that Bioflor plays a decisive role in maintaining the balance of the gut flora, an asset everyone should take care to protect.

For Tech Simo, PPM's local commercial director, this scientific morning set the tone for the new phase now beginning, centred on digestive health and on better knowledge of probiotics. “The collaboration between PPM and Biocodex reflects our determination to open a new chapter for Bioflor in Cambodia,” he said. “I hope these discussions will enrich every doctor's daily care for their patients.”

“What they have, we don't, and vice versa”

In the afternoon, the official ceremony was attended by Oknha Dr Hay Ly Eang, Chairman and CEO of PPM, Ettienne Le Gall, Asia-Pacific Marketing Director of Biocodex, and Bordelong Ross, Area Manager and CFO for Vietnam. Around a hundred partner distributors, pharmacists and doctors were also present.

Speaking to the press, le Dr Hay Ly Eang highlighted the kinship between the two companies. “Our strength is our history. PPM has a long pharmaceutical tradition in this country: we created Kinal as early as the 1960s. Biocodex has a comparable history and, like us, enjoys international recognition. Above all, our product ranges are complementary: what they have, we don't, and vice versa. These mutual needs are the foundation of our cooperation. We want it to last, serving the health of Cambodians as well as the pharmaceutical sector, here and internationally.”

Same product, new point of contact

Ettienne Le Gall noted that Biocodex is an independent, family-owned company committed to long-term relationships. He sees PPM as a partner with an intimate understanding of Cambodia, strong ties with health professionals and very high standards of quality and regulatory compliance. The two companies already work together on Saforelle, the French laboratory's feminine intimate hygiene range. Extending the partnership to Bioflor was therefore the natural next step.

The Biocodex representative was keen to reassure patients, pharmacists and doctors that the product's quality, form and packaging remain exactly the same. The only change is the company in charge of promoting and managing it in Cambodia, which is now PPM. Health professionals can expect stronger support and a greater presence of PPM teams in the field.

Innovation, a value shared by both companies, could pave the way for new projects. For now, however, he said, the priority is to make the Bioflor relaunch a success.

Bioflor at a glance

A probiotic based on Saccharomyces boulardii, a live yeast, dosed at 250 mg. Indicated for the prevention and treatment of acute diarrhoea in children and adults, it helps maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota.