The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) supports the measures announced by the government to ensure the security of the nation’s medicine and medical device supply.
Following the global energy crisis due to the conflict in West Asia, the Minister of Economy has announced several initiatives through the National Economic Action Council (MTEN). These measures are important and timely.
The MMA recognises and supports the approach taken, including:
- Special Access Pathway to ensure critical medicines and medical devices remain accessible.
- Centralised stock monitoring, diversification of import sources, and activation of emergency response plans.
- Planning the establishment of a national strategic buffer stock for the medium and long term.
- Development of a medicine security policy through MyMedSecure, as well as efforts to strengthen the local pharmaceutical industry.
Regarding the current situation, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has disclosed that the nation’s medicine supply remains stable, with no rising trends of disruption so far.
Local manufacturers are also reported to have sufficient stocks of raw materials and finished products for several months. This is a positive development.
However, the MMA wishes to emphasise that the global situation remains uncertain, and we cannot rely solely on the current stability.
Accordingly, the MMA proposes three key measures:
- Strategic buffer stocks should prioritise medicines listed in the National Essential Medicines List (NEML), especially for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Information regarding supply status should be shared more transparently and proactively with the private sector, including clinics and hospitals, to ensure continuity of patient care.
- Malaysia should accelerate the development of local medicine production capacity in a structured and continuous manner, as a long-term step toward national health sovereignty.
The MMA will continue to collaborate with the MOH, MTEN, and all stakeholders to ensure Malaysians continue to have uninterrupted access to necessary treatment and medicines.
This statement was issued by MMA president Dr R. Arasu.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
