PUTRAJAYA: Medicine supplies in the country remain stable and sufficient, although a small number of products continue to be closely monitored, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).
The Health Minister said the ministry tracks 702 medicine types covering 3,739 registered products through monthly reports submitted by registration holders.
“As of May 8 this year, 505 medicine types, or 72%, had stock levels exceeding 90 days and were classified as low risk.
“Another 79 types (11.3%) were categorised as moderate risk with supplies lasting between 60 and 90 days, while 118 items (16.8 %) had stocks below 60 days and were considered high risk,” he said yesterday.
The moderate and high-risk categories include antibiotics, cancer drugs, vaccines, antidotes, psychiatric medicines and cardiovascular treatments, Bernama reported.
“Of the 118 high-risk items, only 14 were deemed critical due to reliance on a single registration holder or delays of more than a month for incoming supplies,” he said.
These include Fluorouracil (cancer treatment), Methylene Blue (used in diagnostic procedures), Linezolid (an antibiotic) and Coal Tar Solution for psoriasis treatment.
However, Dr Dzulkefly said checks with the ministry’s facilities and concession companies found that 13 of the 14 critical medicines still have stock levels exceeding 90 days. The remaining item, Carbinoxamine Maleate/Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, is not listed in the ministry’s Drug Formulary.
Additional shipments of critical medicines are scheduled to arrive between June and September, while the ministry continues to work closely with industry players, suppliers and healthcare facilities to address potential supply disruptions early.
