He said CRM should also work closely with local universities, particularly medical faculties, to ensure that research efforts are impactful and serve the needs of the people.

“One of our key challenges is to prevent healthcare costs from escalating. The medical industry can become burdensome, as we’ve seen major companies earning excessive profits without considering the burden on consumers,” he said at the official opening of the CRM Trial Connect Conference 2025 here today.

Anwar added that a stronger and more coordinated Asean collaboration, involving major research centres in Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila, and beyond, could pave the way for meaningful progress in clinical research.

Also present were health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad and Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, who also serves as the state’s minister for public health, housing and local government.