Launching of Policy Paper: Improving Access to Orphan drugs in Malaysia

In conjunction with World Rare Disease day on the 28th February, the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) has published and launched a policy paper titled “Improving Access to Orphan Drugs in Malaysia,” written by Assoc Prof Dr Asrul Akmal Shafie, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. The paper is part of IDEAS’ Championing for Rare project. The paper itself, aimed to provide potential funding options to resolve the difficulty facing rare disease patients in accessing their treatment. Rare diseases tend to draw the short straw in the current climate of competing healthcare needs. As they are presumed to only affect a small number of Malaysians and are considered as non-communicable diseases, little attention is paid to these diseases. Therefore, it is imperative that the government establishes a clear funding framework to ensure patients receive the holistic care that they need.

The paper was presented to YB Senator Bathmavathi Krishnan at a symposium in Kuala Lumpur. The symposium is also attended by Tunku Zain Al-Abidin (Founding President of IDEAS), YB Maria Chin Abdullah (member of Malaysia parliament), and Dato’ Jagjit Singh (Finance Division Secretary, Ministry of Health).

Policy Ideas No.58 “ Improving Access to Orphan drugs in Malaysia” can be downloaded here http://www.ideas.org.my/…/upl…/2019/02/RD_PolicyPaper-V3.pdf