KUALA LUMPUR: The supply of medicines in Malaysia is stable and under control, says the Health Ministry, which gave the assurance based on a current assessment of supply in the country.
“We keep between one and three months of medicine stock at our facilities based on usage requirements.
“We are supported by an additional two-month buffer at the concessionaire level for medicines supplied through concession arrangements,” said the ministry in a statement yesterday.
As such, it said that the impact from the Middle East conflict in the short term is minimal.
“The ministry will continue to monitor the conflict in the Middle East closely,” it added.
Overall, the ministry said the monitoring of the domestic drug supply is carried out continuously through existing mechanisms, including a system for reporting supply disruptions from the Product Registration Holder (PRH) operated by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.
As of Sunday, the ministry said no increase has been detected in reports from PRH regarding supply interruptions.
“Feedback from the local pharmaceutical industry indicates that domestic manufacturers hold raw material stocks for up to three months and finished products for about two months.
“Importers are closely monitoring their respective supply chains as well.”
The ministry pledged to take proactive measures, which included forming a taskforce with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry and other relevant stakeholders.
“This is to ensure the security of the medicine supply, particularly for items under the National Essential Medicines List,” it said.