Asean key in affordable next-gen HIV meds
The Deputy Health Minister said regional cooperation was vital to procure these drugs at fair and affordable prices.
'The cost of ARV drugs is high due to their intellectual property, so we need to work together on regional procurement solutions.
'Buying in bulk through an Asean regional platform will facilitate easier access to these drugs,' he told reporters after opening the Asean regional dialogue on affordable ARV drugs and promoting community-based testing here yesterday.
Lukanisman also said Malaysia was working to reduce the cost of a new fixed-dose combination drug known as Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD).
'The current ARV costs about RM500 a year. TLD is a new medicine, which would cost over RM200 a month but we want to reduce it to at least RM100 per month.
'The cost is higher than the previous ARV but it's more effective in treating patients,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Health event was misrepresented as 'gay party', say rights group
PETALING JAYA: A recent police raid in Kelantan, initially labelled as a "gay party," was actually a health event, claims rights group Justice for Sisters. The group is urging the Kelantan police to verify and correct any misinformation they disseminated regarding the event. The incident, which was widely reported, sparked quick discriminatory remarks against LGBTQ individuals from various quarters, increasing fears of further discrimination and marginalisation. "Justice for Sisters' documentation of the event is completely different from the police's account," the group stated. According to the group, the event was a health initiative providing sexual health and HIV-related information, condoms, and voluntary testing to promote safer sexual practices. Healthcare providers were present to deliver health talks. By midnight, the event was winding down, with about 20 individuals awaiting their test results. "None of them provided sexual services at the event or were there to provide sexual services. The attendees were at the event to seek sexual health information and tests," the group clarified. Contrary to police claims, no attendees paid a fee to attend, nor was the event promoted on social media. Justice for Sisters also noted that although police tested the remaining attendees for drug use, all results were negative. However, three individuals were arrested for possessing intimate content, which the group maintains are trumped-up charges. The raid has heightened fears among LGBTQ individuals about seeking health services or attending similar events in the future. The group highlighted that police have generally refrained from raiding health events targeting marginalised groups, as such actions counter public health goals. Expressing concern about this re-emerging trend, Justice for Sisters urged the Health Ministry to investigate. "Such raids and threats to health centres have a deterring effect on health-seeking behaviour among marginalised populations," they said. The group also documented human rights violations by the police during the raid, including privacy breaches and degrading treatment of attendees. They called for police to adopt a compassionate and professional approach to ensure the rights of marginalised groups are protected.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysian AIDS Council confirms MOH-backed outreach session in Kota Bharu as Kelantan cops chastised over ‘gay sex party' accusation
KOTA BHARU, July 18 — The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) confirmed that it conducted a night outreach session here on June 17 under the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) model. After Kelantan police claimed that the raid was against an alleged 'gay sex party', MAC said the session was in collaboration with Kota Jembal Health Clinic and part of a strategic approach introduced by the Health Ministry. 'We strongly urge that programmes such as this not be misrepresented or unnecessarily politicised, as such actions may disrupt collective efforts to tackle HIV in Malaysia. 'Instead, community-based approaches like DHSKP should receive broad support as a proven and effective strategy to end AIDS by 2030,' it said in a statement. MAC said the session was held from 8pm to 2am and had reached over 70 high-risk individuals, with services scheduled outside office hours to improve accessibility. It had included information on HIV transmission risks, prevention, and the benefits of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment under the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) principle. Participants underwent confidential Community-Based Testing for HIV, with each screening taking 10 to 15 minutes, followed by counselling for those with reactive results. Brief counselling was provided by medical officers and clients were referred to the clinic for further follow-up. 'DHSKP emphasises tailored service delivery that meets the specific needs of target populations, free from stigma, and carried out through collaboration between public healthcare facilities and community organisations. 'It covers screening, counselling, treatment, and support, and aims to close the gap in access to healthcare while improving the effectiveness of HIV prevention and treatment,' it said. This comes as a coalition of civil society groups had also urged Kelantan police to revise their statement on a June 2025 raid of an alleged 'gay sex party' here, which they clarified was in fact a health outreach event. The groups, led by transgender rights advocacy group Justice for Sisters, said media reports following the raid resulted in harmful and stigmatising remarks that have intensified fear among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals seeking health services.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
GSK shares drop as US FDA panel rejects blood cancer drug Blenrep
LONDON: GSK shares plunged more than 6% on Friday, hitting the lowest point in Britain's blue-chip FTSE 100 index after a US FDA advisory panel voted against approving its blood cancer drug Blenrep. The panel raised concerns over side effects, dealing a blow to the British drugmaker's efforts to revive the treatment, which was withdrawn from US markets in 2022. At 0807 GMT, GSK shares dropped as much as 7% to 1,315 pence, while the broader FTSE 100 index rose 0.2%. The company had submitted a renewed application based on two late-stage trials showing that Blenrep combination therapies reduced the risk of death and delayed cancer progression. The setback comes as GSK seeks to offset declining sales from its top drugs and vaccines with newer approvals. The company is also preparing for patent expirations in its HIV portfolio starting in 2028. Analysts from Berenberg, JPMorgan, and Barclays predict the FDA is unlikely to approve Blenrep, with a final decision expected next week. While the FDA usually follows advisory panel recommendations, it is not obligated to do so. GSK had previously projected peak annual sales of over 3 billion pounds for Blenrep, with the US expected to be its largest market. However, JPMorgan analysts now suggest the company may need to revise its sales targets and long-term revenue goals. 'GSK remains confident in the benefit/risk profile of Blenrep and will continue to work closely with the FDA as they complete their review,' the company said in a statement. The FDA panel highlighted side effects such as blurred vision, photophobia, and dry eyes, along with concerns over dosing and lack of US patient representation in trials. GSK is set to release its second-quarter earnings report on July 30. - Reuters
