HIV patients may get free drugs

Star: PENANG: HIV/AIDS patients may soon get free anti-retro viral treatment drugs.
Currently, instead of paying more than RM1,000 for their monthly anti-retro viral treatment medication, Malaysians only pay about RM100 as the rest is subsidised by the Government.
Health Ministry Parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the ministry was now working with a pharmaceutical company to produce the drugs locally.
He said no time frame had been set yet but the ministry was optimistic that an agreement would soon be reached.
“We will try to provide the medication for free if possible. At the very least there will definitely be a significant reduction in cost,” he said at the Penang Family Planning Association (PFPA) International AIDS Memorial Day celebration here yesterday.
Lee said the Health Ministry’s target last year was to provide at least 2,000 patients with treatment but it only managed to help about 1,700.
“It is important for patients to realise that although there is currently no cure for AIDS, it is a manageable disease. With proper treatment, patients can lead normal, healthy lives,” he said.
During the memorial day event, a short trilingual play in Malay, Chinese and Tamil entitled Pindah Rumah was staged by SMJK Convent Datuk Keramat Drama and Dance Club members.
Eighteen winners of the PFPA Sampaikan Mesej Buat Sahabatmu contest were also presented with certificates and a total cash prize of RM1,160.
Also present was PFPA president Tunku Datuk Dr Ismail Jewa.