World News – UK – Malaysia to offer WHO-approved affordable HIV drugs

PETALING JAYA: The Director General for Health, Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah says Malaysia will offer affordable HIV drugs that are pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO) upon inclusion in a licensing agreement with a global HIV specialist company.

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) has signed a voluntary licensing agreement with ViiV Healthcare to expand access to dolutegravir-based treatment regimens to certain higher-middle-income countries, namely Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Malaysia.

On a number of Twitter posts, Noor Hisham said this was a critical milestone for Malaysia as Malaysia is not often listed under the MPP, adding that affordable versions of the drugs are badly needed to address the HIV crisis worldwide to end.

« Malaysia will be able to provide prequalified, more affordable versions of these WHO essential medicines to people living with HIV who need treatment.

“We hope that the competition between generic drug manufacturers enabled by this license will bring us high quality drugs at lower prices.

“We hope that this will open more doors for quick access to life-saving medicines. The Ministry of Health thanks MPP and everyone involved who made this incredible decision a reality, ”he said.

The wage subsidy program and the special subsidy for micro-businesses prevent companies from going under due to the loss of revenue with Covid-19.

The National Union of Bankers, the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd Labor Union, and the Malaysian Union Congress have helped ease the financial burdens on workers.

Despite its many challenges, e-learning must be accepted and made a “normal” part of the education system.

HIV, HIV / AIDS, ViiV Healthcare Limited, Dolutegravir, Drug Patent Pool, Malaysia, World Health Organization