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 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted that one of the key challenges is to prevent healthcare costs from escalating. He pointed out that the medical industry can become burdensome, with major companies earning excessive profits without considering the burden on consumers. This was articulated at the official opening of the CRM Trial Connect Conference 2025. The prime minister believes that a stronger and more coordinated ASEAN collaboration could pave the way for meaningful progress in clinical research, involving major research centres across Southeast Asia.

Also present at the event were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr 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. Reflecting on the 1970s, Anwar mentioned how the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in Malaysia initially focused on diseases prevalent in Western countries but later shifted its focus to address regional health issues.

Anwar urged the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure its staff and policymakers understand the broader economic context to effectively tackle the “economic disease” plaguing Malaysia. He emphasized that a clear policy framework should guide the ministry and its associated entities to address health challenges sustainably.

He also cautioned that while there is a demand for increased funding across ministries, including health, it is crucial to consider the nation’s competing priorities like education and rural infrastructure. Anwar warned that allocating more resources to healthcare would require increased taxation, posing a potential burden to both the public and healthcare professionals.

Since 2012, the clinical research sector has significantly contributed to Malaysia’s economy, adding over RM1.5 billion to the Gross National Income (GNI) and creating more than 3,000 high-skilled jobs.