Patient access scheme - Possible Approaches in Malaysia

Access to high-cost innovative medications is a challenge in many countries. Patient access scheme (PAS) implementation is believed to alleviate the financial constraints. We assessed stakeholder views as the uptake of PAS in Malaysia was poor due to a lack of data infrastructure, expertise, administrative mechanisms, and trust. We explored hypothetical PAS to assess its affordability in Malaysia for a rare and major disease. One scheme was found to be cost-effective and affordable for rare diseases. However, caution is needed in major illnesses as the net budget impact is exorbitant. PAS can be used with caution till other suitable reimbursement methods are available.