PETALING JAYA: A national strategic buffer stock will be established to ensure a sufficient supply of medicines and medical devices amid the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, said Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
The Economy Minister said this was among the more robust measures for the medium and long term, in addition to transitioning from the use of raw resin materials to polymers for certain products.
"The global energy crisis affects not only oil and logistics but also the supply of medicines and medical devices.
"Disruptions to the global supply chain can cause shortages of essential raw materials, such as APIs, petroleum and ethylene oxide gas, thereby raising manufacturing and delivery costs," he said at the global energy crisis briefing broadcast live on local television stations Tuesday (April 7).
The Government, he said, has outlined several short-term measures to safeguard the country’s supply of medicines and medical needs.
These include centralising the monitoring of medicine stocks to ensure better oversight, diversifying import sources to reduce reliance on any single supplier, and activating emergency response plans to address potential disruptions swiftly.
Certain items will also be designated as controlled goods to help manage supply more effectively, while a Special Access Pathway will be implemented to ensure continued access to critical and life-saving medicines.
In the medium to long term, the Government is also looking at stronger structural measures to enhance resilience, he said.
This includes establishing a national strategic buffer stock to better prepare for future shocks and transitioning from resin-based materials to polymers for certain products to improve supply stability.
Efforts are also underway to develop a national medicine security policy through MyMedSecure, alongside initiatives to strengthen the local pharmaceutical and medical device industry.
At the same time, this is aimed reducing dependence on imports and building greater self-sufficiency, he explained.
