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Ministry of Health
Parliamentary QA

FREQUENCY OF CANCER DRUG LIST REVIEW

5 August 2026

NOTICE PAPER NO. 896

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 04 AUGUST 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Hamid Razak

MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC

Question No. 2303

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) how frequently is the Cancer Drug List (CDL) reviewed and updated; and (b) what measures are in place to reduce the risk of Singapore lagging behind prevailing international standards of cancer care.

Answer

1        Mr Speaker, my response will also cover Question 93[1] raised by Mr Christopher de Souza from the 7 July 2026 Parliament sitting.

2        The Cancer Drug List (CDL) mechanism enables MOH to negotiate better drug prices and keep cancer care affordable and sustainable for more patients over the longer term. Since the implementation of the CDL, we have managed to reduce cancer drug prices by an average of 30 per cent, and up to 60 per cent for some drugs.

3        MOH updates the CDL three times a year, in consultation with an expert committee comprising cancer specialists from public and private sectors. We take into consideration medical advancements, evolving evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness and alignment with international standards of cancer care. Through this process, we have listed 400 drug-indication pairings, which is comparable to all the pairings approved in 2022, before CDL was implemented. 

4        For patients that require cancer drugs not yet listed on CDL, there are avenues for financial assistance in public healthcare institutions on a case-by-case basis through MediFund.

[1] To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider introducing greater flexibility or case-by-case exceptions under the Cancer Drug List (CDL) for patients with rare cancers who require clinically effective but non-CDL drugs, particularly where treatment costs remain exceptionally high despite insurance coverage.