Essays on Affordability and Pharmaceutical Pricing Regulation in Malaysia

This thesis examines the feasibility of implementing External Reference Pricing (ERP) as a pharmaceutical price control mechanism in Malaysia. It comprises three empirical studies: a qualitative content analysis of public feedback from the Unified Public Consultation (UPC) on proposed price controls; stakeholder interviews exploring implementation challenges; and a quantitative analysis of the impact of cancer treatment costs on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The findings highlight the complexity of pharmaceutical pricing and the need to balance diverse stakeholder interests. This research underscores the importance of evaluating Malaysia’s healthcare system to ensure its long-term sustainability under pricing reforms.