Prudential, AstraZeneca, Pantai Premier Pathology to provide cancer patients acccess to genomic tests

PETALING JAYA, April 4 (Bernama) -- Prudential Malaysia, AstraZeneca and Pantai Premier Pathology are collaborating to provide cancer patients access to genomic testing for a more accurate diagnosis of their cancer based on its genetic profile. 

The tripartite collaboration was formalised through a signing ceremony between all three parties, witnessed by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin here today.

Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad said in a statement that this collaboration, the first of its kin, will help cancer patients financially as they gain access to improved treatment outcomes.

“Prudential Malaysia now extends our coverage to include genomic testing and precision medicine, giving our customers peace of mind so that they can be in the best position to focus on their treatment and recovery. 

“This coverage also allows physicians to prescribe clinically suitable treatments and tests from other pharmaceutical companies and laboratories,” Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad chief executive officer Lim Eng Seong said. 

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Pantai Premier Pathology chief executive officer Hareeff Muhammed said in a press conference after the signing ceremony that the price of genomic profiling has reduced as it can be conducted locally, as compared to prices of up to RM20,000 when it was first done outside of Malaysia.

“A complete genomic profiling, depends on number of biomarkers, I estimate it to be around RM8,000 and can go as high as RM15,000 (now),” he said.

He said this collaboration was in line with the company’s mission to make genomic testing for precision medicine more accessible to cancer patients, thereby providing patients with a more comprehensive and affordable suite of healthcare solutions to improve health quality.

“In regards to the hospital, I think this programme is open not only to Pantai Premier Hospital, but all hospitals in Malaysia. So it is open for everybody, but for this program, of course the target audience would be Prudential holders (subscribers),” he added. 

Meanwhile, Khairy said private partnerships and collaborations with government are needed to ensure Malaysians, especially cancer patients, have access to precision medicine.

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He said it is impossible to expect the government to offer all cancer patients such treatment options because it would simply cost more.

While welcoming industry leaders to find ways to optimise necessary technology and tools to broaden the access to precision medicine, he said the globally things were moving towards a model where medical decisions and treatments are tailored according to a patient’s unique health requirements, contrary to a one-cure-fits-all model.

“Precision medicine in cancer care is a medical model that encourages the use of medicine according to a particular individual. Focusing on a holistic approach, precision medicine takes into account individual variability in genes, environment and lifestyle to accurately consider cancer treatment and prevention strategies,” he said.

He said 49,000 people in Malaysia were estimated to be newly diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and it expected to rise to more than 66,000 new cases annually by 2030.

Touching on the collaboration, Khairy said the initiative was in line with government’s effort in preparing a White Paper on reforming the country’s health system for tabling in Parliament.

He also hoped many insurance companies would come forward to join the initiative to ensure the best quality care and outcomes for cancer patients in this country.

-- BERNAMA