Work together to cut costs
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) and other local medical research institutions to enhance collaboration with counterparts across Asean to help lower the cost of medicines, accelerate medical discoveries and develop treatments tailored to the region's needs.
He said CRM should also work closely with local universities, particularly medical faculties, to ensure research efforts are impactful and serve the needs of the people.
'One of our key challenges is to prevent healthcare costs from escalating.
'The medical industry can become burdensome, as we've seen major companies earning excessive profits without considering the burden on consumers,' he said at the official opening of the CRM Trial Connect Conference 2025 here yesterday.
He said increased collaboration in clinical research, both locally and within Asean, would be key to Malaysia's continued technological and socio-economic development.
Anwar said the need for greater cooperation between institutions and nations is vital amid the chaotic global situation caused by US President Donald Trump's planned reciprocal tariff hike.
He added that by fostering clinical research collaborations with Asean neighbours, Malaysia can become a hub for developing clinical breakthroughs that address the healthcare needs of people in the region.
Anwar said this would also help keep healthcare solutions costs affordable while generating more clinical expertise jobs in the country.
Proud moment: Anwar presenting the 'Media of the Year' award to Ng at the CRM Trial Connect Conference 2025 in Bangsar South. Looking on are (from left) Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, Zulkefly, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and CRM CEO Dr Akhmal Yusof. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
'It's not just about the numbers but also about people, talent and knowledge. Every clinical trial conducted will produce ripple effects in many areas, including medical, logistics and data management.
'This will equip our youth with the skills to thrive in a global marketplace and offer our professionals a platform to collaborate with the best minds in the world.
'This will also ensure that innovation doesn't just benefit the few but uplifts many,' Anwar said.
He added that only by working across borders and sectors can Asia's full potential in forming a sustainable and competitive regional ecosystem for clinical research be realised.
Anwar also highlighted how clinical research in Malaysia has become a key pillar of its healthcare and socio-economic landscape.
He revealed that since 2012, the nation's clinical research ecosystem has contributed over RM1.5bil to its Gross National Income (GNI) and created over 3,000 highly skilled jobs.
Anwar, together with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, then presented the CRM Sponsored Research Awards 2025 to various individuals and companies for their invaluable work in advancing clinical research in Malaysia.
The Media of the Year category was won by Star Media Group (SMG) for increasing public awareness of clinical trials through several articles it had published in 2024. The award was accepted by SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng.
Other winners included Investigator of the Year Award winner Dr Voon Pei Jye from Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for having recorded the highest number of new sponsored research in 2024 and significant accomplishments in early phase research. SGH also won the Top Study Site (MOH) Award.
CRM's Top Study Site (Overall) Award went to Universiti Malaya Medical Centre for having the highest number of new sponsored studies in 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar congratulates Harimau Malaya on 4-0 win over Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated the national football team on their recent feat in defeating Vietnam in the Asian Cup Group F qualifier. In a Facebook post, Anwar described Harimau Malaya's performance during last night's match as the beginning of a stronger comeback. "Congratulations, Harimau Malaya. Let yesterday's victory be the start of a more glorious comeback," he said. Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) expressed its gratitude to Anwar and the Malaysian government for their full assistance and support, which contributed to Harimau Malaya's resounding 4-0 victory over Vietnam at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. In a statement, FAM announced that apart from financial support through special allocations for Harimau Malaya, the government also facilitated the documentation process for new heritage players, enabling them to feature in the second Group F match of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Final Qualifiers in Saudi Arabia. "It is hoped that the full support from the country's top leadership and fans will continue to inspire Harimau Malaya's performance in upcoming international matches, en route to becoming one of the giants of Asian football," the statement read. Before more than 60,000 spectators yesterday, Malaysia ended an 11-year winless streak against Vietnam with goals from Joao Figueiredo in the 49th minute, Rodrigo Holgado (59th), Corbin Ong (67th), and Dion Cools (89th). The result puts Malaysia at the top of Group F with six points, while Vietnam sits in second place with three.
Malaysiakini
2 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
SST on imported fruits pose nutritional risks, consumer groups warn
In tabling Budget 2025, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim cited avocados as an example of 'premium' imported fruits that would cost more under an expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) scheme. However, the government's announcement yesterday revealed that all imported fruits - even the humble apple - have been categorised as non-essential items and will be slapped with a five percent sales tax. The new tax, set to come into effect on July 1, has...
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Taxing the richest 10pc to redistribute wealth will make govt ‘very unpopular', says Fuziah Salleh
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — The government will become 'very unpopular' if it raised taxes on the top 10 per cent of the richest and redistributed the wealth to the rest of the population, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Fuziah Salleh said. While the PKR secretary-general admitted that distribution of wealth should be more equitable and efficient, she said the government has to tread carefully in doing so. 'Even at the moment when we talk about targeted petrol subsidies that may exclude the T20, we already hear some noises. 'Even the two per cent dividend (tax) met with some resistance,' Fuziah said, referring to the introduction of dividend tax on annual dividend income exceeding RM100,000 under the 2025 Budget. Fuziah was responding to a question on the government's strategy to tackle the widening wealth disparity gap between the T20 and the rest of the country at the BBC World Questions debate yesterday. Citing that the richest 10 per cent in Malaysia take home 40 per cent of income, presenter Jonny Dymond asked Fuziah whether the government considered a tax hike on them as part of a wealth redistribution exercise. Meawhile, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal pointed out that the government has not clearly defined the T15 — a new classification to represent the top 15 per cent of Malaysian households that was introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the 2025 Budget. Wan also stressed the need to improve and enhance educational and digital resources in rural constituencies like his to be on par with urban constituencies in Kuala Lumpur. On a related development, Fuziah said her ministry is currently studying the possible impacts of US President Donald Trump's tariffs on Malaysian goods entering the country. Malaysia currently faces a 24 per cent tariff but negotiations are ongoing. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz reportedly said that Malaysia seeks to lower the current rate to the 10 per cent baseline tariff that applies to all US trading partners. Fuziah admitted that loss of jobs was imminent if Malaysia's trade ties with the US — its second-largest trading partner — is fractured by high tariffs. The government, she said, is exploring new markets to mitigate the US tariff impacts, should it come to effect in July 2025. Meanwhile, Tricia Yeoh, an associate professor of practice at the University of Nottingham Malaysia's School of Politics and International Relations, called on Malaysia to uphold its strategic neutrality approach amid the escalating trade war between US and China. Stressing that the US is a larger export market for Malaysia than China, Yeoh said Malaysia should leverage on the significant flow of foreign direct investments from Malaysia in the ongoing negotiations.
