Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 28 November 2025  — A recent article published by The Star has highlighted the outcomes and significance of the Drug Repurposing Roundtable held in October, showcasing Malaysia’s growing leadership in developing affordable treatments for cancers and rare diseases.

Titled “Drug repurposing: How Malaysia is developing affordable treatments for cancers and rare diseases”, the report reflects on the roundtable as a productive and energising event that brought together clinicians, academics, government agencies, patient advocates, researchers, regulators, and industry partners to explore drug repurposing as a strategic pathway for equitable access to treatment.

The article underscores the urgent need for more affordable therapies for patients in Malaysia, across ASEAN, and in the Global South. Drug repurposing—using existing, approved medicines for new indications—was highlighted as a promising approach to accelerate drug development, reduce costs, and expand access for patients who might otherwise be left behind.

A key perspective featured in the article comes from Mr Chris Cheng, President of the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness, Kuching, who emphasised the importance of affordability and access for patients:

“For patients, what matters most is survival, affordability, and quality of life. Novel therapies are great, but can we access them? Can a villager from Belaga access the latest targeted therapy? The answer is probably not. But by using a drug repurposing approach, if we can reduce the cost to patients, then they will have better access to emerging cancer treatments.”

The coverage highlights how Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional leader in advancing drug repurposing through multi-stakeholder collaboration, with patients and equity at the centre of innovation.

🔗 Read the full article in The Star