Malaysia pushes for greater ASEAN self-reliance in essential medicines
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says regional capacity needs strengthening to protect medicine access from disruptions in global supply chains.
Malaysia is leading efforts to expand ASEAN’s capacity to supply essential medicines and lessen its reliance on vulnerable international supply chains, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on 19 October.
Delivering Malaysia’s statement at the 77th Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific in Manila, he highlighted the country’s role in the Asean Drug Security and Self-Reliance (ADSSR) initiative. He also pointed to Malaysia’s leadership of the 17th Asean Health Ministers’ Meeting as part of its commitment to regional health security.
Dzulkefly said Malaysia’s healthcare reforms place greater weight on prevention, earlier diagnosis and digital systems. Measures include expanding community access to screening for non-communicable diseases, using sugar taxation and behavioural insights to encourage healthier choices, and improving digital tools for early detection.
He said the Lung Health Initiative brings screening and treatment into primary care, aiming to maintain care through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for communicable and non-communicable lung diseases. Healthcare providers, civil society and private businesses are also being brought together to address shared health risks and reach underserved groups.
On international health governance, Dzulkefly called for developing countries and Small Island Developing States to have a more inclusive role. He urged the World Health Organisation to turn recommendations into partnerships with measurable community benefits.
Dzulkefly is heading Malaysia’s delegation at the meeting from 19 to 22 October. His programme includes a ministerial roundtable on regional health stockpiles and pooled procurement, alongside scheduled meetings with WHO leaders.
