KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — The Health Ministry (MOH) is boosting resilience against global supply chain uncertainties by setting up the Special Task Force on Drug and Medical Device Safety, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the move is in response to the global dynamic challenges involving the raw material supply crisis, energy crisis, and surging logistics costs worldwide due to tensions in West Asia.
He said the team is monitoring real-time data and diversifying drug procurement sources in the global market to ensure stable domestic supply.
“At the same time, we always ensure the front-line stock buffer for medicines categorised as critical is strong and can last more than 60 days,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Dzulkefly said this was among issues discussed in the Friends of Ministry briefing he chaired yesterday morning to coordinate actions with MPs in championing health issues at the grassroots level.
In the meeting, he stressed the Madani Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring stable domestic supply of medicines and medical devices.
To proactively manage the crisis of continuity of medicine supplies, he said the MOH has activated an early warning mechanism where suppliers are required to report any potential shortage of supply at least six months in advance by July.
“For the supply of medical devices, the Medical Devices Authority (MDA) has entered into a strategic agreement with the authorities in China to stabilise the supply of critical manufacturing raw materials such as resin and naphtha, thus enabling our local manufacturers to operate without interruption.
“A Special Access Pathway has also been provided to expedite the entry of urgent medical equipment to ensure smooth operations in operating theatres and hospitals,” he said.
Dzulkefly also said the MOH would continue to make the health system more resilient through a whole-of-government approach to ensure patients are not affected by global shocks.
“This is to ensure each strategic plan is translated into swift and organised action on the ground, so every patient continues to be protected and isn’t affected by future global shocks,” he added.
