Anwar: Asean must unite in medical research to cut costs, warns of ‘excessive profits' by major companies
KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — 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 stressed that 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 today.
Anwar added that a stronger and more coordinated Asean collaboration, involving major research centres in Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and beyond, could pave the way for meaningful progress in clinical research.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad and Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who also serves as the state's Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government. — Bernama
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