KUALA LUMPUR – The surge of demand for several types of medicine has caused the shortage of medicine supply and raw materials for the pharmaceutical products in the country.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Norhaliza A. Halim said that the supply shortage involves medicines to treat fever, cough, sore throat, antibiotics, painkillers and medicines to treat the symptoms of hand, food and mouth disease (HFMD).
“MOH via the Pharmaceutical Services Programme had a meeting with the pharmaceutical industry namely, the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI), Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA) and Malaysia Association of Pharmaceutical Suppliers (MAPS) yesterday.
“Based on the feedback received from the industry, there is a sudden increment of demand on several types of medicine with the active ingredient of paracetamol (for the treatment of fever and mild pain), vitamin C and cough and flu medicines for children,” she said in a statement today.
However, Norhaliza said no product is suffering total supply disruption as most of them have alternatives from various other brands with the similar indication.
She added, the manufacturers have also increased their production capacity to fulfil the high demand.
“At the same time, the MOH is getting feedback from the industry on the exact status of the medicines produced in Malaysia or imported, and other relevant issues.
“Strict surveillance and solution on each issue will be reviewed through continuous communication between the MOH and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure the sustainability of quality, safe and effective medicine supply for the Malaysians,” she said. -MalaysiaGazette
