KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — The government will introduce a central pool procurement system in October for purchasing drugs that will combine Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals, university hospitals, and army hospitals.
theSun reported Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye as saying that these hospitals will be combined as a single buyer making bulk purchases in a bid to reduce drug prices.
“We will also have to get the approval of the Finance Ministry,” Dr Lee was quoted telling a press conference after a forum titled “Improving Access to Affordable Cancer Treatments in Malaysia” at Universiti Malaya.
He reportedly said MOH, the Education Ministry, and the Defence Ministry will collectively purchase at least 80 varieties of drugs under the new system.
Pharmaceutical Service Programme senior director Dr Ramli Zainal was quoted saying the government would attempt to obtain cheaper drugs once current tenders expire.
“We also need to monitor and evaluate the progress of the central procurement system.
“A lot of work needs to be done,” he reportedly said.
