Tag: diabetes

MCA's Dr Pamela Yong tells MOH to acknowledge the human insulin shortage crisis, saying alternative diabetes treatments like insulin analogs and oral medications are a temporary fix. She adds, insulin shortages can lead to severe complications like DKA.

Dr Dzul says India's Biocon Biologics, which runs a Johor manufacturing plant, failed its human insulin supply contractual obligations. He adds the current human insulin supply can last till year end, dismissing an "alarmist" scenario of the shortage.

MOH downplays the role of human insulin in diabetes management, saying there are 41 diabetes medicines in its formulary and that "only" human insulin has supply issues. MOH's statement also does not say how long it expects the current shortage to last.

MOH's Pharmacy Services Programme held an emergency meeting last night on the insulin shortage crisis. Health DG's circular yesterday lists diabetes patient groups for conversion from human insulin treatment to costlier SGLT2 inhibitors and insulin analogs.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii says the insulin shortage crisis, which seems to be a yearly event, shows poor planning and management by the government to ensure steady supply, warning of increased risk of life-threatening diabetic complications like DKA.

Pharmacists, doctors, and patients are sounding the alarm on a nationwide insulin shortage crisis, with some MOH facilities expected to run out of the lifesaving drug this week. Diabetes patients are given just 2-3 days or 1 week's human insulin supply.