In a bold move to combat rising HIV treatment costs and declining international funding, Malaysia has taken the lead in rallying ASEAN member states toward a unified strategy for affordable and equitable access to life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, speaking at the ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Community-Based Testing (CBT), urged regional governments to adopt joint procurement mechanisms and voluntary licensing strategies to reduce the price of next-generation treatments such as Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD).
“We must move forward not in isolation, but as a unified region,” he emphasized.
The cost of HIV treatment in Malaysia currently stands at RM500 per patient annually. However, with the introduction of TLD, the government aims to reduce this to RM100 per year—making treatment more accessible and sustainable.
Malaysia’s national HIV response has shown significant progress, with 64% of people living with HIV aware of their status, 94% of those diagnosed receiving treatment, and 93% achieving viral suppression. Yet, the country faces a critical gap in diagnosis, particularly among key populations. Lukanisman highlighted community-based testing as a proven, empowering strategy to reach underserved groups and overcome barriers such as stigma and discrimination.
The three-day dialogue, hosted in Kuching, brings together health experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. The forum aims to strengthen regional solidarity and accelerate ASEAN’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Key Highlights:
- Malaysia advocates for ASEAN-wide joint procurement of ARV drugs.
- Targeted reduction of TLD treatment cost from RM209 to RM100 annually.
- Emphasis on community-led HIV testing to close diagnosis gaps.
- Regional collaboration seen as vital amid shrinking global funding.
