Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21 March 2024 - A discussion on cooperation to support the healthcare sector in Malaysia and in IsDB member countries took place at the Kuala Lumpur Center of Excellence (KLCoE), with the visit of high-level officials from the Ministry of Health (MoH). The MoH delegation was led by Datuk Dr. Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, Director-General of Health (DG), and accompanied by Dr. Ami Fazlin, Director of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR). Additionally, Mr. Jean Michel, Regional Director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), and Ms. Yolanda Augustin from St. George's University London joined the discussion virtually.

Receiving the MoH delegation at the Center were Mr. Samer Elesawi, Head of KLCoE, and Dr. Ammar Abdo Ahmed, Manager of the Human Development Division. The parties discussed many aspects of potential cooperation, including the health transformation program for Malaysia, capacity development, diagnostics, and healthcare financing mechanisms through PPP.

Following Dr. Ammar's presentation on the IsDB Health Sector Policy and the "Health Impact Investment Platform," the MoH DG expressed interest in integrating IsDB into the Health Transformation Vision for Malaysia. Consequently, both parties reed on the next steps to be taken.

Furthermore, on March 22, 2024, the IsDB team, comprised of Mr. Samer, Dr. Ammar, and Mr. Zafardjon, was received by Pharmaniaga’s Executive Director, Mr. Zulkifli Jafar, and his leadership team in a closed working session on high-value product portfolios.

Established in 1994 by the Government of Malaysia, Pharmaniaga has evolved to become Malaysia’s largest listed integrated pharmaceutical group. The discussion focused on several vaccine and biosimilar candidate projects identified for potential PPP health financing.

On the same day, the IsDB team also met with the MoH National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, where they were received by Director Dr. Rosilawati Binti Ahmad. the meeting emphasized the importance of Malaysian NPRA's support to IsDB MCs in enhancing regional capacity for Good Manufacturing Practices and evaluating medicines and vaccines, following the OIC meeting in Istanbul. The NPRA shared updates on their ongoing transformation, aligning with the Malaysian National Vaccine Development Roadmap.