KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) acknowledged today the impact of the global energy crisis on supplies of medications and medical devices for Malaysia.
According to the ministry, the crisis triggered by the West Asia conflict has affected delivery timelines and created instability in access to certain critical medical devices, particularly imported products in high-risk categories.
“This situation has also affected suppliers’ ability to meet contractual obligations and may potentially disrupt the continuity of health care service delivery if not addressed promptly,” said the MOH in a statement.
“In line with government priorities, the MOH is actively ensuring the security of supply for medicines and medical devices by strengthening buffer stocks for critical items, diversifying sources of supply, and continuously monitoring raw materials and supply chains in collaboration with industry players.
“This enables early identification of disruption risks and targeted interventions.”
MOH’s statement today did not specify which pharmaceuticals or medical devices are facing supply disruptions in the public health care system.
Last March 23, the ministry announced that Malaysia’s medicine supply was “stable’, saying MOH health care facilities had between one and three months of medicine stock, supported by an additional two months’ buffer stock at the supplier level.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad even claimed two days ago that the supply of medicines in public health care facilities and the domestic market was “CONTROLLED” and “SUFFICIENT”, using uppercase letters for the words “terkawal” and “mencukupi” in his Facebook post.
Striking a different tone today, the MOH now says it’s managing supply “prudently” by distributing drugs and medical devices based on “clinical needs and rational use”, besides providing alternative clinical treatment plans and facilitating regulatory processes to ensure continued access to medicines.
“MOH has also implemented the Special Access Pathway, activated emergency response plans, designated controlled items, and expanded the use of e-Labelling for medical devices.”
For the medium and long term, the MOH cited strengthening supply resilience through a transition from resin materials to polymers, implementation of Unique Device Identification (UDI), and development of the local medical device industry.
As for medicines, the ministry touted efforts to develop a medicine supply security policy through the MyMedSecure initiative, strengthening local production, digitalising supply chains, and establishing a national strategic buffer stock.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reportedly warned Malaysians earlier today to brace for price hikes.
CodeBlue previously reported a notice from a local pharmaceutical distributor that warned of potential medicine price increases by up to 50 per cent and supply constraints for MOH facilities due to the Iran war.
