PUTRAJAYA, Aug 26 — The Health Ministry today confirmed Malaysia is not facing a human insulin shortage, and that supply is sufficient until year-end.
However, the ministry is looking into alternatives and contacting other suppliers, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said at the Malaysia International Healthcare Megatrends 2024 memorandum of understanding signing here today.
Asked how soon Malaysia can get the supply of the human insulin, he replied: “We’ll go on a fast track on this, 60 days, as opposed to a few months originally.”
Last week, the ministry clarified the recent disruption in the supply of human insulin at its local facilities was caused by production issues, and in ensuring uninterrupted patient treatment, it has implemented several measures, including increasing the use of analogue insulin and oral therapies, as determined by the clinical assessments of the treating physicians for each patient.
Dr Dzulkefly refuted claims of a depletion in supply and clarified that the issue stemmed from a “contractual obligation” with one of the ministry’s suppliers.
“One of our two providers has struggled to meet their contractual obligations, but we have alternative solutions in place,” he said, adding that the ministry is in talks with the current supplier in Johor and another one in India.
“We communicated with the Indian principal, Biocon. They must supply it whether it’s coming locally or overseas. Whatever it is, we don’t want this shortage to affect patient care. If there is a shortage, then I have not heard about it for now.
“As far as I’m concerned, there is no patient not having or not getting the prescribed human insulin,” he emphasised.
The minister also said interested overseas suppliers must submit their dossiers to the Health Ministry and it would expedite the registration process through the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.
— Bernama
