Cancer Management and Research (Aug 2023)

Challenges and Strategies for Improving Access to Cancer Drugs in Malaysia: Summary of Opinions Expressed at the 2nd MACR International Scientific Conference 2022

  • Tan SC,
  • Poh WT,
  • Yong ACH,
  • Chua EW,
  • Ooi DJ,
  • Mahmud R,
  • Thiagarajan M,
  • Stanslas J

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 851 – 862

Abstract

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Shing Cheng Tan,1 Wen Tsin Poh,2 Audrey Chee Hui Yong,3 Eng Wee Chua,4 Der Jiun Ooi,5 Rozi Mahmud,6 Muthukkumaran Thiagarajan,7 Johnson Stanslas2 1UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 2Pharmacotherapeutic Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 3Faculty of Pharmacy, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia; 4Drug and Herbal Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 5Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia; 6Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 7Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaCorrespondence: Johnson Stanslas, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Considerable progress has been made in cancer drug development in recent decades. However, for people in low- and middle-income countries, including Malaysia, many of these drugs are not readily available. During the 2nd Malaysian Association for Cancer Research (MACR) International Scientific Conference, a forum discussion was held to address these challenges and explore strategies to improve access to cancer medicines in the country. This paper presents the results of the said forum discussion. A few challenges to cancer drug access were highlighted, including lengthy approval and regulatory practices, cost of medicines, and manufacturing barriers. Besides, a few strategies for mitigating some of these challenges were proposed, such as mechanisms for cost reduction, uptake of biosimilars and generics, local manufacturing, public-private partnerships, strengthening the role of insurance companies, funding and regulation, and advocacy for fair pricing, by drawing examples from cancer medicines access initiatives in Malaysia and initiatives for different disease groups. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and strategies for improving access to cancer medicines in Malaysia and provides valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, the pharmaceutical industry, cancer patients, cancer support groups, and other stakeholders working on this important issue.Keywords: cancer drug access, cancer treatment, Malaysia, non-equitable cancer drug distribution

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