iNova Pharma Phils. Inc. wins at Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2025

The company’s evidence-based study established the foundation for Difflam® (Benzydamine) to grow in a declining market.

iNova Pharma Phils Inc. has won the Marketing & Communications Initiative of the Year - Philippines honour at the Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2025 in recognition of its Difflam® Lozenge (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl) Study. 

The study was conducted amongst 146 participants aged 12 to 60 in 2023 to test the effectiveness of its Difflam® Lozenge, containing the active ingredients Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl in easing sore throats in COVID-19 patients.

After thorough research, the results showed 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 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, which measure throat pain when swallowing.

The study was leveraged by the team at iNova to strengthen Difflam® (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl) communications in the following year and a half. The team used the opportunity to share quality health information and education on disease awareness and treatment with doctors and consumers throughout 2024, strengthening the brand’s credibility and effectiveness. 

To help further educate and inform the community, Difflam® Philippines launched the "Push Your Best Self Forward" campaign in 2024—an initiative that encouraged Filipinos to focus on their own health and wellbeing. The campaign underscored the importance of maintaining the good health practices at the same time promoting holistic wellbeing.

Despite a challenging market where many brands saw a decline, Difflam® Lozenges (Benzydamine) experienced 13% growth compared to last year. The sore throat medication market overall showed a 4% decline in the same period. This growth was especially notable for the Difflam® lozenge (Benzydamine HCl + Cetylpyridinium Cl), which continued to gain market share quarter over quarter.

The ongoing success of the Difflam® brand reflects its ability to grow in a challenging market, where many other brands are seeing limited growth or decline. This success has also had a halo effect on other Difflam® products, including the Difflam® (Benzydamine) spray variant, which also experienced growth.

Together, the clinical study and its supporting campaigns, Difflam® (Benzydamine) has supported Filipinos in their journey to better health as the world moves forward from the pandemic.

Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards applauds the companies in Asia that have redefined pharmaceutical excellence. It gives recognition to the game-changers and visionaries who possess unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.

The Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's innovative and unique initiatives that enhanced your business and remarkable contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].