CTGTPs and high-cost drugs have significant potential to treat rare diseases and conditions. However, they can be expensive. Without any financing, Singaporeans will not be able to access these potentially effective treatments. 

This is where MediShield Life and risk-pooling can play a useful role. Instead of having every individual save for a CTGTP, which only some may require, MediShield Life works by collecting smaller, annual premiums from individuals, and paying out when one requires high-cost, low-incidence treatments such as CTGTPs. To ensure the scheme remains affordable and sustainable, coverage will only be extended to treatments that are assessed by MOH to be clinically and cost-effective.