PUTRAJAYA: The medicine stockpile for the country remains stable until June, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
While the situation is currently manageable owing to several sources of medicine stockpiles in the country, the Health Minister said that his ministry is keeping close tabs on the matter.
“Overall, we have several stable stock levels.
“This is because not only do we have our stock, but the industry also has its own supply.
“Other parties maintain their respective stocks as well,” he told reporters after the World Hearing Day 2026 celebration here.
He added that the ministry is not taking the situation lightly despite it currently remaining under control.
He said that several mitigation measures are being taken to address the issue, with the health director-general tasked with keeping him updated on the matter.
On medicine prices, he acknowledged that there had been increases, as they are closely linked to industry factors and input costs such as oil.
“As a result, the cost of medicines has risen.
“The increase is estimated to be around 30% to 40% in certain cases, and possibly higher for specific medical devices,” he said, adding that the cost of medical devices began to rise as early as March.
“There has been an increase of around 50% to 100% for certain devices,” he said, which has prompted the ministry to put on hold certain purchases.
Dzulkefly said that the government has also implemented the Special Access Pathway to expedite the registration of medical devices.
“But this approach is just an interim measure to deal with shortages and crisis situations,” he said, adding that there will be no compromise on the safety and quality of approved devices.
On a separate issue, Dzulkefly said that efforts are being made to increase nurses’ allowances as part of measures to curb the migration of nurses overseas.
In addition to increasing allowances, including those for post-basic nurses, he said that the ministry is also exploring options to recruit more nurses.
He was asked to comment on MBSB Research’s report that the need for nurses in Malaysia has reached critical levels.
Earlier in his speech, Dzulkefly said that noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common work-related disease reported in Malaysia.
Citing data from the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH), he said hospitals often receive patients who are already at the chronic stage of hearing loss because of industrial noise.
He urged employers not to neglect their employees’ well-being and to comply with the Noise Exposure Regulations 2019.
“To patients and workers, know your rights.
“Damage to the auditory nerve from industrial noise is permanent, but it is 100% preventable.
“If the employer does not take responsibility, the employee will fall victim,” he said.
Dzulkefly also noted that one in five Malaysians have experienced hearing problems.
As of February this year, he said that a total of 50,413 individuals were registered as persons with hearing disabilities.
He added that 5,102 patients have also benefited from device financing, while a total of 714 patients have undergone surgery under the National Cochlear Implant Programme, which is now in its 18th year.
