KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is diversifying sources of imported medicines and manufacturers to safeguard supplies against potential disruptions arising from the conflict in the Middle East.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry is securing alternative suppliers and source countries to reduce reliance on a single source, while maintaining buffer stocks and implementing long-term procurement contracts to strengthen supply chain resilience.
He said Malaysia's supply of imported medicines remains stable despite the conflict, including in Sabah, despite the state's geographical and logistical challenges.
"Among the measures implemented to ensure a continuous supply of medicines are regular monitoring of supplies by Product Registration Holders (PRHs) and inventory checks at healthcare facilities and concession companies to detect potential shortages at an early stage.
"The ministry is also centralising procurement and implementing long-term contracts to improve supply stability and reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions," he said in a parliamentary written reply on Monday (June 29).
Dzulkefly said the ministry, through the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), also monitors medicine supplies under the Medicine Supply Disruption and Discontinuation Reporting system.
He said PRHs are required to notify the NPRA of any anticipated medicine supply disruptions up to six months before a shortage is expected to occur.
"However, if a disruption arises unexpectedly, PRHs must report it to the NPRA immediately.
"The reporting requirement was implemented on a voluntary basis from Aug 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Mandatory reporting by PRHs takes effect from July 1, 2026," he said.
On Sabah, Dzulkefly said the ministry is strengthening inventory planning and stock assurance at healthcare facilities to ensure sufficient supplies, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
"The ministry is also enhancing the functions of the Sabah State Pharmacy Logistics Branch and the medicine distribution network to improve the efficiency of storage and the delivery of supplies to hospitals and health clinics throughout the state," he said.
