January-February . 2024 | The HEALTH

The HEALTH says ...

P19

P19 Towards soap sufficiency for prisoners Tapah Prison officers and inmates have learnt that it ’ s easy and cheap to make soap from used cooking oil

P20 Humans v machines - who makes better decisions ? If cognitive biases can be removed from the decision-making process , the decisions that are made are likely to be based purely on fact with no emotions

P21 Of herbs and health – the big K debate The issue of making ketum an important natural health product and supplement through the amendment to the Poisons Act 1952 has resurfaced

P22 Navigating the road to recovery A comprehensive approach is needed to help individuals recover from sepsis and regain their health

P23 | People

• Anaesthesiologist ’ s quick thinking saves cyclist ’ s life

• Multilingual nurse garners praise

• Supermax announces new CEO and four directors

• Woman ’ s brain surgery costs just RM258

P24-25 Weaving the tapestry of global well-being The One Health concept stands as a ground-breaking and collaborative approach that profoundly acknowledges the intricate web connecting human , animal , and environmental health

P26-27 Harnessing the human genome is the future of healthcare Johnson & Johnson ’ s partnership with the largest human genome sequencing project in the world will increase scientists ’ understanding of genetic diseases and help create new interventions

REPORTS that pharmaceutical companies in the US are planning to increase drug prices are bad news for Malaysians .

Malaysian Pharmacists Society ( MPS ) President Amrahi Buang has warned that if this happens , the prices of pharmaceutical drugs from the US are expected to increase between five and 10 per cent . Currently , half of our drugs are imported . And with the weak ringgit , capping price increases would be a challenge .

Being dependent on imported drugs also has another drawback – ensuring sufficient supplies . The Covid-19 pandemic saw acute shortages of certain imported drugs as the supply chains were disrupted .

The last four years should have prompted us to find ways to be less dependent on imported drugs and medication to ensure consistent supply and stable prices . But that has not happened .

For one , the government should lead the way by buying locally manufactured drugs . They are much cheaper and can be just as efficacious . It can also opt for generic drugs , which cost as low as 20 per cent of branded ones .

Government hospitals and healthcare facilities are fine importing brand-name drugs if they have no choice . But why not if a much cheaper generic version or biosimilars are available ?

After all , a generic drug works similarly to the brand-name equivalent and has the exact mechanism of action , safety profile , efficacy , strength , stability and quality . As for biosimilars , they are highly similar to brand-name drugs but are not exact copies . But they contain the same active ingredient , mechanism of action and dosing .

Several Malaysian companies are already manufacturing generic and biosimilars and are expanding their facilities . They have even tied up with foreign drug makers .

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently commented that there should be greater transparency in medicine prices . By accessing competitively priced medicines , consumers will know what they can afford .

Private healthcare facilities , such as hospitals and clinics , must give their patients a choice of brand name , generic or biosimilar drugs . Consumers are becoming more cost-conscious , and so are health insurers .

Supporting local manufacturers will not only benefit consumers but also lead to higher self-sufficiency in drugs and help stem the outflow of funds from the country .