KUALA LUMPUR: The supply of medicines in the country is stable and under control, says the Health Ministry.
In a statement on Monday (March 23), it assured the public that based on the current assessment of supply, the impact of the conflict in the Middle East in the short term is minimal.
"We (the ministry) keep between one and three months of medicine stocks 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.
"Overall, monitoring of the domestic drug supply is carried out continuously through existing mechanisms, including the supply disruption reporting system from the Product Registration Holders (PRH) operated by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA)," it read.
It said that as of Sunday (March 22), no increase has been detected in reports from PRH regarding supply interruptions.
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"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 monitoring their respective supply chains as well.
"The ministry will continue to monitor the conflict in the Middle East.
"We are committed to proactive measures, including establishing a taskforce comprising pharmaceutical industry players and relevant stakeholders.
"This is to ensure the security of the medicine supply, particularly for items under the National Essential Medicines List (NEML)," it said.
