Kuala lumpur: Regional Cooperation Key To Address HIV Drug Costs – Lukanisman: ASEAN needs to establish a regional mechanism to tackle the high cost of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV treatment, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. He emphasized that these medications are essential for the success of HIV treatment programmes in the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lukanisman stressed the importance of regional collaboration in exploring strategies such as better pricing, voluntary licensing, and regional procurement solutions. He urged ASEAN countries to work together as a unified region rather than in isolation to address this critical issue. Lukanisman made these remarks during the opening of the ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Promoting Community-Based Testing (CBT) for Key Populations held today.

Lukanisman highlighted the current situation in Malaysia, where the average cost of ARV treatment is approximately RM500 per year. The country is in the process of transitioning to a new drug, Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD), which costs around RM200 per month. The Deputy Health Minister noted that the goal is to reduce the cost to at least RM100 per month, acknowledging that, although more expensive, TLD is significantly more effective in treating patients compared to previous ARV options.