Malaysia is requesting a 90 percent discount on medical drugs from multinational pharmaceutical companies to combat Aids as the government cannot afford the medication for all the patients in the country, said Health Minister Chua Jui Meng today.

"Despite the promises of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to bring down the prices of these drugs, the companies have yet to do so. They have been here for so many years and have enjoyed so many benefits," he said.

The minister was speaking at a press conference after officiating the launching of the Child-Friendly Health Guidelines and the Child-Friendly Health Association of Malaysia at the Pediatric Institute of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL).

According to Chua, international pharmaceutical companies have offered high discount rates to South African countries, where there are many Aids patients.

"They should offer it to Malaysia as well. We have about 38,000 HIV cases reported to the ministry. The government cannot afford the medication for all of them," he said.

When asked the desired discount rate, the minister replied: "Ninety percent as a 30 to 60 percent discount would not be enough."

Chua was responding to a recent statement made by HKL consultant physician Dr Christopher Lee that an announcement on "big price cuts" for drugs used to treat Aids and other deadly diseases in Malaysia will be made soon.

In his statement last Tuesday, Lee said that price cuts between 30 and 60 percent were expected to be announced over the next two to three weeks by major drug companies and would include five important Aids-related drugs.

Chua piqued

"I do not know why the discounts were offered to a doctor. We (the ministry) are the ones paying for the patients and such offers should be made to the ministry or to the minister, which is myself, as I am the one who decides," Chua said.

"They (multinational pharmaceutical companies) should keep their promises. I was told that the prices have been brought down but I have yet to receive an official answer," he added.

Chua also said a hospital catering only for women and children will be built under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP).

"Mothers and children cannot be separated, which is why we are addressing the needs of women as well, when we cater for children," explained the minister.

Chua said the budget and location of the hospital had yet to be decided.

"Initially, we planned to build it near the Pediatric Institute of HKL but we haven't made a final decision as there are suggestions to build it in Putrajaya," said Chua.