Sarawak has emerged as the leading state for first-in-human clinical trials in Malaysia, with Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) playing a key role in testing new cancer drugs.
Deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state had now conducted eight such trials, and that of the 25 new oncology drugs developed and marketed globally, eight had a footprint in Sarawak.
“Before last year, there had never been a first-in-human trial done in Malaysia. People didn’t trust us, or we were not up to expectations.
“But since last year, first-in-human clinical trials have been done in Malaysia, five last year alone. Four of them were done at SGH, and there are four more this year,” he said at the 5th Asean International Oncology Integrative Medicine Session here today.
First-in-human trials involve testing new drugs on people for the first time and are considered critical in the development of life-saving treatments, particularly for cancer.
Sim said these achievements had put Sarawak on the global map and demonstrated that local expertise could meet international research standards.
“This shows that we are no longer just seen as a third-world country. If you don’t have first-in-human trials, there will be no new drug discoveries for cancer.”
He added that 155 clinical trials had been conducted in the state, making it one of the top contributors among 267 trial sites across Malaysia.
He also said such trials were governed by strict international standards.
“You cannot just say, ‘I want to be a first-in-human site’. These sites are monitored very strictly, not just by Malaysians, but by the companies as well,” he said.
“Worldwide, there are only about 30 sites that meet these standards, so you must be a top-tier centre to qualify.”
Despite these achievements, Sim expressed concern over the state of facilities at SGH’s cancer centre.
“In Sarawak, I always say, you go to the cancer department not sick but (then) become sick, because the facilities are not ideal, not up to standard,” he said.
He said the federal government had cited financial constraints when asked for funds to upgrade the facilities.
“So the Sarawak government said, let’s form a partnership. The Sarawak government will come in with RM1 billion first. If that’s not enough, let us know, and when the federal government has money, they can start paying us back.
“Are we supposed to wait until there’s money? By then people would have died. We care more about saving lives first,” he added.
