MAKE ASEAN A PLATFORM TO BUY MEDICINES THROUGH BULK PROCUREMENT - NOOR HISHAM
KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- The government has been urged to implement continuous efforts to establish ASEAN as a platform to purchase medicines and healthcare equipment through bulk procurement.
National Heart Institute chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the method could help reduce their prices, thus reducing patient treatment costs.
“The European Union (EU) countries, those in the Middle East and African countries use this approach (bulk procurement)…ASEAN is an excellent platform, and it would be great if we could utilise it with strong cooperation from ASEAN countries.
“In terms of standards, for example medicines, it has been discussed. Now we want to further strengthen cooperation in terms of bulk procurement (of medicines). This may be one way for us to reduce treatment costs and so on,” he said after appearing as a guest on Bernama Radio’s Jendela Fikir programme today.
The former Health director-general said when procuring vaccines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU, consisting of 30 countries, was represented by only one party to deal with vaccine manufacturers, strengthening its purchasing power.
“So, when the volume is high, we can lower prices and ensure fast vaccine delivery,” he said, adding that Middle Eastern and African countries also buy their medicines in bulk.
He said this method has also successfully saved the Malaysian government’s money.
“Last year, the Ministry of Health implemented bulk procurement involving the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Defence. We identified 82 medicines for bulk procurement and managed to save nearly RM179 million,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
