ISKANDAR PUTERI: The country's medical device supply remains stable despite the ongoing Middle East conflict following a deal inked with China, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the ministry's Medical Device Authority (MDA) had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China to ensure the supply of raw materials for use by the local industry.
"Raw materials are crucial for us to continue producing medical products without interruption.
"With the deal, there are no issues that will lead to supply disruption or delays," said Dzulkefly.
He said this to the press when met at a Hari Raya open house at Dewanraya Taman Bukit Indah here on Saturday (April 18).
Dzulkefly said at the moment, the government’s current focus is to ensure that the supply of raw materials is sufficient, while other matters are still under negotiation.
“This initiative aims to ensure that the supply of raw materials remains adequate at all times, thereby allowing the production of medical devices to continue without disruption,” he said.
On Friday (April 17), the Health Ministry said that it had signed an agreement with China to boost supplies of resin and naphtha, which are key raw materials in the production of medical devices.
Dzulkefly had previously said the ministry is monitoring the rising prices of medicines and medical devices, which have increased by up to 40% following the global energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict.
