KUALA LUMPUR: Pharmaniaga Bhd
has assured its vendors and suppliers that the delay in payments would be resolved and normalised by the end of this month.
The group said this after a meeting with the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (Phama) yesterday to address the association’s concerns over its Practice Note 17 (PN17) status and issues pertaining to the delays in payments.
In a statement, Pharmaniaga said most of its obligations to the suppliers had been cleared, and it would continue to ensure that public access to medicine remains uninterrupted.
Its core business activities, namely research and development, manufacturing, logistics and distribution, sales and marketing as well as its Indonesian operations are proceeding as usual, according to Pharmaniaga.
“Certain action plans have also been agreed upon by both parties, including more proactive engagements in addressing operational issues with regard to the medicines and non-medicine supplies to the government and private healthcare facilities. Both parties will also work closer towards creating a more consistent and predictable ecosystem that encourages stable operations,” it added.
The meeting was attended by Phama’s board members Tan Sri Ariffin Yusuf and Louis-George Lasonnery, executive director Chan Li Jin, and representatives from Zuellig Pharma, Roche Malaysia, Lundbeck Malaysia, Novartis Malaysia, Sanofi Malaysia, DKSH Holdings Malaysia and Novo Nordisk Malaysia. Pharmaniaga was represented by deputy chief executive officer Zulkifli Jafar and commercial director Zulhazri Razali. —Bernama
