SJMC’s latest innovation to reduce cancer treatment cost

Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) has launched an innovative subsidised patient access programme called NEXUS 2.0 in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

Under this initiative, patients with advanced lung cancer can benefit from rapid comprehensive genetic NGS profiling of their cancers at substantially reduced costs, said Greg Brown, group CEO of Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care (RSDH).

“With the availability of rapid NGS results delivered within one to three days unlike two to three weeks previously, patients can gain access to life-changing individualized, targeted treatment of their cancers,” Brown said.

SJMC is giving new hope to patients by delivering revolutionary lung cancer treatments in Malaysia by providing the most recent and advanced version of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), the Ion Torrent Genexus Integrated Sequencer.

“As one of the leading healthcare providers, we are continuously exploring ways to improve how we meet and optimise the treatment of cancer patients. This revolutionary technology and the subsidised patient access programme at SJMC will alter the landscape of how advanced stage lung cancer is managed,” Brown added.

Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) is the flagship hospital of Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care (RSDH), a joint venture between Ramsay Health Care, Australia and Sime Darby, Malaysia.

SJMC consultant pathologist and laboratory director Prof. Dr Pathmanathan Rajadurai said the discovery of specific genetic defects within lung cancer cells had allowed it to precisely target these cancer cells while sparing the patients normal cells, allowing SJMC to realise the promise of precision medicine.

“The innovative and rapid methodology will dramatically change the treatment of advanced and inoperable lung cancer in this region, with better clinical outcomes as patients receive the right life-saving treatment much earlier, which is extremely critical in the management of lung cancer,” Rajadurai said.

AstraZeneca Malaysia country president Dr Sanjeev Panchal said the  strategic partnership would complement its corporate responsibility efforts to improve patients access and affordability to sustainable healthcare solutions for life-changing treatment and prevention.

“As patients are at the heart of everything we do, our aim is to help those with financial constraints to gain access to advanced technologies to treat their cancer promptly and with precision,” Panchal said.

Pfizer Malaysia & Brunei country manager Luksanawan Thangpaibool said Pfizer’s commitment to oncology began nearly two decades ago.

“Our extensive portfolio of cancer therapies continues to break boundaries in cancer care with comprehensive and innovative treatment options. Our purpose is clear – to deliver breakthroughs that change patient’s lives,” she said.

“Pfizer also works hand-in-hand with the broader cancer community to support people with lung cancer, including metastatic disease. We are proud to be part of the NEXUS 2.0 patient access programme to support patients throughout their treatment journey, including financial needs so that we can put effective treatments in the hands of those who need it,” she added.