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ASEAN needs to establish a regional mechanism to tackle the high cost of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV treatment, said Malaysian Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

At the opening the ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Promoting Community-Based Testing (CBT) for Key Populations held on July 17, he said the medications are critical in ensuring the continued success of HIV treatment programmes.

“We must collectively explore strategies to secure better pricing, voluntary licensing, and regional procurement solutions,” he said.

Currently, the average cost of ARV treatment in Malaysia is about 500 MYR per year. However, the country is transitioning to a new drug known as Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD), which costs approximately 200 MYR per month.

The country aims to reduce it to at least 100 MYR per month.

“Although it is more expensive than the previous ARV, it is significantly more effective in treating patients,” he added.

The ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Promoting Community-Based Testing (CBT) for Key Populations is organised by the Malaysian Ministry of Health from July 17 to 19 in Kuching, Sarawak. More than 15 health experts from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, and host Malaysia are attending the workshop.

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