MALAYSIA is facing a significant increase in medicine prices, with costs rising by as much as 40 per cent due to global supply chain disruptions triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said today.
The minister attributed the surge to mounting pressures on logistics, transportation and global fuel prices, which have collectively driven up the cost of pharmaceutical supplies.
“Certainly, medicine prices have already begun to rise, and the impact of these cost increases has been felt, with an estimated increase of around 30 to 40 per cent,” he told reporters after attending the World Hearing Day 2026 celebration on Friday.
He said the impact has been even more pronounced for medical devices, with some categories recording sharp increases of up to 100 per cent.
“Medical device prices are higher, with some recording increases of up to 50 per cent and others reaching as much as 100 per cent,” he said.
Dr Dzulkefly explained that supply constraints have been worsened by delays from suppliers since March, tightening availability and pushing up market prices.
Despite the cost pressures, he assured that Malaysia’s supply of medicines remains stable and sufficient to meet demand in the coming months.
“For the next three months, we still have stable and sufficient stock.
“I can say this because it is not only within the Health Ministry’s storage facilities; the industry also holds stockpiles,” he said.
He urged the public not to panic or engage in excessive stockpiling, stressing that the ministry is closely monitoring supply levels through continuous engagement with industry players.
“Do not panic. The ministry has various measures in place, and we are also engaging with the industry to determine how much supply they have,” he said.
He added that the government is strengthening coordination with pharmaceutical companies to ensure transparent sharing of supply data, as part of efforts to safeguard the availability of essential medicines nationwide.
On addressing rising costs, Dr Dzulkefly said the government is currently evaluating several policy responses, including the possible introduction of surcharges and cost-sharing mechanisms.
“We have begun discussions on this increase, whether through surcharge mechanisms or cost transfer mechanisms, whether full or partial cost pass-through,” he said.
He stressed that any decision would require careful consideration to strike a balance between sustaining the healthcare industry and maintaining affordability within the public health system.
Dr Dzulkefly added that the ministry will continue to monitor developments closely to ensure healthcare services remain uninterrupted despite mounting cost pressures. – April 10, 2026