The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia insists that reported drug shortages are limited to certain facilities and that none of the major private hospitals are in a critical situation.
A procurement pharmacist from a private hospital outside Klang Valley describes frantically sourcing drug supplies, as deliveries come in dribs and drabs lasting a week or two; medicine shortages extend to epilepsy, anxiety, ADHD, and Parkinson’s disease.
Khairy Jamaluddin says public health care facilities can oblige requests from private facilities to borrow drugs, as long as there is enough for the public facility’s own patients first.
Every Pharmaniaga product has at least three alternative suppliers in the event of any shortage or fluctuation of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) prices, says the Pharmaniaga MD.
Dr Kelvin Yii warns the government of a potential crisis, noting that some conditions are life-threatening if patients can’t get medications immediately.
Dr Philip Raja says his Children & Heart Specialist Clinic services are now limited to vaccination and stomach flu. Sarawak Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says some private clinics in Miri have stopped seeing patients after their medicine supplies ran out.
The private Children & Heart Specialist Clinic asks for help from Miri Hospital to sell or loan supplies, as it will run out of all paediatric medicines in 3-5 days or a week at best.
MOH is seeking alternative pharmaceutical products or sources, besides exploring potential new markets for import and increasing capacity for local production.
Dr Kelvin Yii tells NPRA to extensively audit pharmaceutical stock across public and private facilities, adding that health care providers should start rationing medicines now.
The former health minister calls for local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as Malaysia is a net importer of pharmaceutical products.