Najib given generic but same formula medication, says Khairy

PUTRAJAYA: The statement that Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s blood pressure medication was changed did not reflect the true situation, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said that the jailed former prime minister was given a generic high blood pressure medication when he was hospitalised at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, but the formula was the same as the medication that the Pekan MP was previously taking.

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“He used to purchase his medication from a private hospital.

“The formulation of the medicine we gave him is the same as the medicine that he used to take. We gave the same, it is just generic. Generic is just as good.

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“It’s important to give an explanation, as there were accusations by his aide and family members that his medication was switched to a different drug,” Khairy said in a press conference after the Malaysia Book of Records award ceremony and launch of the Record Breaking Covid-19 Vaccination: Public-Private Partnership report here on Tuesday (Sept 13).

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Khairy added that as instructed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Health Ministry will be giving the best medical treatment to all prisoners, and not just Najib.

“We will not deny the best medical care for anybody in the criminal justice system,” he said.

ASLO READ: Ismail Sabri: Health Ministry directed to give best care to Najib

Najib was admitted to Hospital Kuala Lumpur again on Monday (Sept 12), which saw his 1MDB trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Tuesday (Sept 13) to be postponed.

He was first admitted to hospital last Friday (Sept 9) for an elective treatment.

Khairy added that based on specialists’ views that have treated Najib last week, they surmised that he was in a satisfactory condition to be sent back to prison, and that there was no reason to have kept him hospitalised.

However, Najib has been sent back to the hospital on Tuesday (Sept 12) to undergo additional tests.

“This has been conveyed to his family, including to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (Najib’s wife).

“However, today he was sent again to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur and I have informed the doctor to conduct all the necessary checks and any tests needed so that there are no longer any disputes on this.

“When this report is complete, we will give it to Najib and we can also give it to the court so that there are no disputes in terms of treatment given to him,” he said.

Khairy added that Najib will be at the hospital until all the checks and tests have been done.

When asked if Najib will be okay, Khairy answered, “I’m not a doctor”.

However, he added that he had called the hospital director-general Datin Dr Rohana Johan, who informed him that Najib was in a stable condition.

“Ramai yang memberi komen kenapa perlu kita membuat kenyataan, menjelaskan dan sebagainya. Penting, sebab terdapat tuduhan daripada pegawai dan juga daripada ahli keluarga bahawa seolah-olah ubat itu ditukar kepada ubat lain. Which is not true.” - @Khairykj pic.twitter.com/G9yuNS3fev — KKMalaysia