The Roscongress Foundation’s Healthy Life project organized a discussion titled ‘Russia–ASEAN: Strategic Cooperation for Health and Safety’ as part of the ‘World of Opportunities: Russia–ASEAN’ International Business Forum, which is being held on 26-27 November 2024 in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). The Roscongress Foundation (Roscongress International) is also organizing the ‘World of Opportunities: Russia–ASEAN’ International Business Forum.

The session was attended by MVP Life Sciences Chairman of the Board of Directors Dato’ Pahlawan (Dr) Md Amin Bin Muslan; Deputy Director for Medical Work of Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute Anna Shakhzadova; Lomonosov Moscow State University Leading Researcher and Mitotech General Director Maxim Skulachev (online); Development Director of the Chumakov Federal Scientific Centre for Research and Development of Immunobiological Drugs of the Russian Academy of Sciences Konstantin Chernov (online); and Duopharma Biotech Berhad Managing Director and Executive Director Leonard Ariff bin Abdul Shatar. The discussion was moderated by Russia 24 TV Channel Presenter and Editor-in-Chief of the Doctor TV Channel Evelina Zakamskaya.

Medicine and healthcare are among the most important focuses of the Russian-ASEAN scientific and technical strategic partnership, which prioritizes the development of personalized medicine, high-tech healthcare, and health-preserving technologies. Exchanging scientific information and knowledge, transferring medical innovations and technologies, conducting joint research, and implementing joint projects in key aspects of the transformation of modern medicine should contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable healthcare in the future. Drug security is also an equally important part of cooperation in the face of new challenges. Even though many countries are adopting drug sovereignty strategies today, it is crucial to build strategic alliances and interstate unions for the mutual supply of drugs and to create a common drug market as a steady response to any changes in the political climate.

“Russia’s diplomatic cooperation with ASEAN in matters concerning healthcare holds significant promise, particularly in the context of public healthcare, disease prevention, and medical research. Russia can cooperate with ASEAN countries in strengthening healthcare infrastructure, upgrading hospitals and clinics, and developing telemedicine. Russia’s experience in developing vaccines and pharmaceuticals provides a foundation for joint research and manufacturing, as well as expanding medical exports. In terms of public healthcare and disease prevention, Russia and ASEAN can jointly strengthen prevention programmes, surveillance systems, and response mechanisms to infectious diseases and pandemics. Medical education and training, including scholarships and exchange programmes, are also important areas of cooperation. Joint research in biotechnology, medical technology, and genomics can promote innovation in healthcare. Given the growing focus on healthcare security, Russia can work with ASEAN to improve regional health systems and responses to global challenges. Russia’s experience in chronic disease management could be useful for ASEAN countries that are facing a rise in such diseases as diabetes and hypertension. Despite differences in healthcare systems and political barriers, diversifying diplomatic ties provides Russia with an opportunity to expand its influence in the region by using its scientific, medical, and technological advantages to support ASEAN’s efforts to improve healthcare systems,” MVP Life Sciences Chairman of the Board of Directors Dato’ Pahlawan (Dr) Md Amin Bin Muslan said.

“Rapidly progressing healthcare technologies not only create new opportunities to improve health, but are also revealing problems in such areas as medical ethics and regulatory practice. The solution lies in separating the functions of the developer, regulator, and user, which would make it possible to conduct a systematic assessment of the remote and mass consequences of new technologies. However, the harmonization of legislation remains a serious problem, despite the efforts of international entities. The introduction of new standards is often used to create competitive advantages, while the sanctions policy blocks financial and organizational cooperation, which stimulates the concept of drug sovereignty. Cooperation remains a more beneficial solution. Experts needs to come up with alternative, sanctions-protected forms and channels of cooperation, mutually recognize regulatory decisions, verify the properties of products, and develop ethical standards. Awareness of the problem is half the solution. In this context, holding an expert dialogue at international platforms such as this forum is becoming crucial. Such platforms help to combine the efforts of specialists from different countries, exchange experience and knowledge, and develop joint strategies to overcome challenges in the healthcare sector. This contributes to the creation of uniform standards and approaches, which ultimately improves the quality and accessibility of medical services for everyone,” Development Director of the Chumakov Federal Scientific Centre for Research and Development of Immunobiological Drugs of the Russian Academy of Sciences Konstantin Chernov said.

During the discussion, experts spoke about what medical knowledge and technological innovations in personalized medicine and high-tech healthcare could become the basis for the development of advanced healthcare in Russia and ASEAN countries; what political decisions could help strengthen the international block of joint research, scientific, and technical developments, as well as the exchange of advanced experience and best practices in the scientific and technical policies of partner countries; what innovative solutions the modern medical and pharmaceutical industry are offering that could change the healthcare paradigm; and what focuses for investment partnership in the pharmaceutical industry have the highest priority today.