Precision medicine: Making it happen for Malaysia

Abstract

Precision medicine is transforming healthcare worldwide and aims to improve the effectiveness of management of many diseases including cancers, other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and also rare diseases. Precision medicine takes into account the individual patient’s genetic, environment and lifestyle data. Developed nations are already embarking on precision medicine initiatives including the 100,000 Genomes England and the Precision Medicine Initiative in the United States (US). The Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Higher Education are working together to put forward a precision medicine initiative for Malaysia. The key drivers that must be put in place include a strong policy agenda, a national large scale genome sequencing project and with it a national genome database, the implementation of the electronic medical record (EMR) system, a payment and reimbursement system to cover for the genetic testing and the targeted treatment, and putting in place an ecosystem that will support precision medicine. Relevant guidelines and Acts will also need to be developed especially with regard to privacy and confidentiality. The future of precision medicine is now and this will certainly bring better outcome and value to the patients.