Access to affordable direct-acting antiviral (DAA) remains limited in developing countries, often due to high treatment cost. This study aimed to elaborate the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MoHM) to provide early access to ravidasvir, a new DAA for hepatitis C treatment, in Malaysia.

MoHM collaborated with Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) to develop ravidasvir, a new chemical entity of oral non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitor. MoHM co-sponsored and participated the DNDi-led Phase II/III study (STORM-C-1 trial) to assess the efficacy and safety of ravidasvir-sofosbuvir combination therapy. Agreement was signed between Pharmaniaga, Pharco Pharmaceuticals and DNDi to register and supply affordable hepatitis C treatment in Malaysia and South-East Asia. MoHM and Pharmaniaga mutually worked on the registration of ravidasvir in Malaysia. Series of pre-submission meetings took place, rolling submission was allowed and conditional registration pathway was used. As a separate initiative, MoHM partnered with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) to implement decentralization and test-and-treat strategies for screening of hepatitis C virus (HCV).

First stage of the STORM-C-1 trial reported that the combination of ravidasvir-sofosbuvir was highly effective across all genotypes and safe. The Drug Control Authority (DCA) Malaysia has granted a conditional registration for ravidasvir hydrochloride 200mg tablet (Ravida®) in June 2021, making Malaysia as the first country in the world to approve ravidasvir. Registration process expedited and took place within 15 months. The supply of Ravida® in Malaysia is expected in near future. Meanwhile, MoHM also implemented nationwide HCV screening using rapid diagnostic test kit in private hospitals, community clinics, prisons and rehabilitation centers which previously was done only in hospitals for outreach to the targeted group.

Ravidasvir-sofosbuvir has potential as a tool to eliminate hepatitis C in Malaysia by 2030, the WHO’s global elimination targets. This alternative new drug development model was successful due to strong leadership, public-private partnership and collaborative strategies. This could also be exercised in other disease area.