Availability of More Common Pharmaceutical Drugs, such as Febuxostat, to Contain Escalating Healthcare Costs

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health given the relatively easy accessibility of generic medication in neighboring jurisdictions, what is the reason for the non-availability of certain common pharmaceutical drugs, such as Febuxostat, in Singapore, especially in light of efforts to contain escalating healthcare costs.

Our healthcare institutions stock a wide range of generic medications to meet patient needs, to keep costs affordable for patients. However, some generic medications may not be available in Singapore, if the pharmaceutical companies’ choose not to bring them in. For example, they may assess that there is inadequate local demand and market potential.

Currently, the generic version of Febuxostat is registered with the Health Sciences Authority since July 2024, but the product registrant has not started to bring it into Singapore, presumably based on their own commercial considerations. That said, there are good and affordable alternative generic medications to Febuxostat, such as Allopurinol and Probenecid, available in the public hospitals and pharmacies.