PETALING JAYA: The Special Access Pathway has been activated by the Health Ministry to stabilise the country’s healthcare system from the ripple effects of the global energy crisis, which has severely disrupted supply chains for medical supplies.
The ministry said the Special Access Pathway has been activated for emergency response plans involving controlled items and expanding the use of e-Labelling for medical devices.
“Supply management is carried out prudently through distribution based on clinical needs and rational use.
“This is in addition to the preparation of alternative clinical treatment plans and facilitating regulatory processes to ensure continued access to medicines,” the ministry said in a statement on Thursday (April 9).
In the medium and long term, the ministry said the focus is to strengthen the supply resilience through the transition from resin to polymer materials.
For medical devices, it said plans include implementing Unique Device Identification and fostering local industry development.
For medicines, initiatives such as the MyMedSecure initiative, digitalisation of the supply chain, and the creation of a national strategic buffer stock are expected to strengthen supply security.
“The energy crisis has destabilised access to imported medical products, particularly those in high-risk categories, raising concerns about continuity of care.
“Suppliers have struggled to meet contractual obligations, and without immediate intervention, health service delivery could face serious interruptions,” it said.
To counter these risks, the ministry is strengthening buffer stocks for critical medicines and devices, diversifying supply sources, and working closely with industry partners to monitor raw materials and supply chains.
In line with the government's priorities, the ministry is actively ensuring the security of supply of medicines and medical devices by strengthening buffer stocks for critical medicines and medical devices as well as diversifying supply sources.
The ministry also added that it will continuously monitor raw materials and the supply chain with the industry players to enable the risk of disruption to be identified earlier and addressed in a targeted manner.
