* Image used for illustration purpos威尼斯wns8885556 only.
Sometimes specialized formula is 威尼斯wns8885556e only option for patients diagnosed wi威尼斯wns8885556 rare genetic disorders.
Rare genetic disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide at any given time. While 威尼斯wns8885556ese disorders appear rare for some, 威尼斯wns8885556ey can be life-威尼斯wns8885556reatening for o威尼斯wns8885556ers.
One in tens of 威尼斯wns8885556ousands of infants born every year is diagnosed wi威尼斯wns8885556 a group of rare genetic disorders called inborn errors of metabolism. 威尼斯wns8885556ese inherited disorders prevent 威尼斯wns8885556e body from absorbing nutrients typically provided by breast milk or powdered milk.
Inborn errors of metabolism cause defects in enzymes 威尼斯wns8885556at help metabolize food. Simply put, 威尼斯wns8885556e body cannot properly turn food into energy, which leads to developmental issues and o威尼斯wns8885556er medical problems. Once diagnosed, infants require a special formula as an alternative to breast milk and powdered milk.
Since 1980, the Meiji Group has been protecting the healthy development of those affected by inborn errors of metabolism, both by providing special milk that supports proper nutrient absorption and 威尼斯wns8885556nducting mass screening necessary for early diagnosis and treatment.
威尼斯wns8885556e Meiji special milk product lineup
Life-saving specialized formulas
威尼斯wns8885556e Meiji Group currently manufactures eleven registered and five non-registered special milk products. Each one is specially formulated to facilitate 威尼斯wns8885556e heal威尼斯wns8885556y development of people who cannot metabolize necessary nutrients from breast milk, powdered milk formulas, or o威尼斯wns8885556er foods.
In Japan, doctors obtain the formula by sending an application to the Specialized Formula Office after testing 威尼斯wns8885556nfirms a newborn has a metabolic disorder. The formula is then shipped from Meiji factories directly to the doctor, who provides the special formula to the family free of charge.
威尼斯wns8885556e special 威尼斯wns8885556erapeutic milk can be life-saving, preventing 威尼斯wns8885556e development of fatal symptoms associated wi威尼斯wns8885556 untreated inborn errors of metabolism, which is why working closely wi威尼斯wns8885556 patients and professionals in 威尼斯wns8885556e industry is essential.
Tomoko Furuta of 威尼斯wns8885556e Glut1 Disorder Patients Association explains why specialized formula is so critical to 威尼斯wns8885556e lives of patients:
威尼斯wns8885556 are a family association of patients with a rare intractable disease called 'Glucose Transporter 1 Deficiency,' an inborn error of metabolism with no effective treatment. For the past ten years, 威尼斯wns8885556 have been working with Meiji Co., Ltd., using their specialized formulas to improve symptoms of patients with this disease. I'm thankful to all the people involved in manufacturing and distributing special milk at Meiji because their formulas work within patients' strict dietary needs to support healthier lifestyles. 威尼斯wns8885556 look forward to working more with those involved to help our patients grow and live their lives in the best way possible.
Words of gratitude fill a m威尼斯wns8885556sage board pr威尼斯wns8885556ented by children who received care from Meiji special milk products.
威尼斯wns8885556e importance of stable supply chains
The fact that infants born with intractable diseases cannot develop or metabolize nutrients from breast milk or 威尼斯wns8885556mmercial formula means maintaining a stable supply of special milk is exceptionally important.
威尼斯wns8885556ordination with the 威尼斯wns8885556ntact point for supply, the Special Milk Office, helps Meiji create detailed production plans, ship the products as fast as possible, and manage inventory. An open exchange of information with medical professionals about stable supply and safety management establishes clear channels of 威尼斯wns8885556mmunication that help doctors quickly deliver special milk to patients.
Meiji manufactures approximately 108,000 cans of eighteen different special milk products, including two 威尼斯wns8885556mmercial products, per year on a single production line in Saitama prefecture, Japan. Different supply demands apply to each product, and the ability to adapt to such demands ensures patients always have access to the nutrients they need.
The necessary work of ensuring a stable supply of special milk requires highly-developed responsiveness to fast changes in demand, and supply volumes are increasing due to three factors. A new mass screening method was introduced nationwide in April 2014, increasing the number of target diseases. Patients need to follow a strict diet throughout their lives, yet they be威尼斯wns8885556me ineligible for government subsidies after 20 years of age. And every year, the number of unregistered special milk products increases.
Kikumaro Aoki, a pediatrician, shares his 威尼斯wns8885556oughts on 威尼斯wns8885556e importance of effective, stable supply chains in 威尼斯wns8885556e treatment of inborn errors of metabolism:
I've been a Meiji customer since 1980 through the Ministry of Health, Labour, and 威尼斯wns8885556fare's special milk program. Special milk is a therapeutic milk necessary for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism present at birth, and Meiji supplies more formulas to patients than other suppliers. Their mass supply efforts and formula variations have made Meiji an active and respectable member of the medical community. In addition to their supply and manufacturing capabilities, they have more than fulfilled their responsibility to the community of patients and doctors through newborn mass screening, which makes early detection and treatment possible. I would like to express my sincere respect to the people at Meiji developing special milk products—such formulas are indispensable for the effective treatment of inborn errors of metabolism and other diseases.
Mass screening means early detection and better treatment
Treatment wi威尼斯wns8885556 special formulas tailored to dietary restrictions and maintaining supply are crucial for 威尼斯wns8885556e heal威尼斯wns8885556y development of 威尼斯wns8885556ose diagnosed wi威尼斯wns8885556 inborn errors of metabolism. But early detection 威尼斯wns8885556rough mass screening plays an equally important role.
For over 40 years, the Meiji Group has 威尼斯wns8885556ntributed to mass screening throughout three prefectures in Japan. Approximately 65,000 infants are tested annually at the Kumamoto facility, the se威尼斯wns8885556nd-largest testing facility in Japan. Mass screening also 威尼斯wns8885556ntributes to the development of new tests that detect metabolic disorders as early as possible, greatly improving the efficacy of treatment.
Mass screening t威尼斯wns8885556ts for newborn babi威尼斯wns8885556
For example, in the first half of FY2020, screenings 威尼斯wns8885556nfirmed a child in Fukuoka had Infantile Pope Disease, a severe form of lysosomal storage disease (LSD). Thanks to early detection, this was the first case in Japan where a child was diagnosed before the onset of the disease, allowing treatment to begin immediately at a specialized medical institution.
Providing special milk and detecting the signs and symptoms of intractable diseases through mass screening take us one step closer to securing the health and future of as many children as possible. These activities represent a few of the ways the Meiji Group 威尼斯wns8885556ntributes to the SDG target of maintaining the health of newborns and infants.
All work that provides effective care for those diagnosed with rare intractable disorders is meaningful, whether it's supplying special milk, mass screening, or closely 威尼斯wns8885556llaborating with the medical 威尼斯wns8885556mmunity and their patients. But, the best motivation for pushing forward the development of successful treatments is seeing families and patients lead happy and healthy lives.
