Streamline drug approval process to overcome shortage, say health groups

PETALING JAYA: A coalition of 24 health associations and eight doctors has called for the approval process for the procurement of medicines to be streamlined in view of the current shortage of certain over-the-counter drugs.

The Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) said this was necessary to reduce the waiting period in procuring medicine and to ensure efficiency amid the shortage.

It also urged for the local drug manufacturing capacity to be boosted, noting that Malaysia was a net importer of finished pharmaceutical products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and pharmaceutical intermediates for local manufacturing.

With pharmaceutical products hit by global supply chain disruptions, it said the local manufacturing capacity should be strengthened to minimise the impacts of future disruptions.

“This must be accompanied by good manufacturing practices to ensure all locally manufactured medicines meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy, in line with the Malaysian National Medicines Policy.

“The government must provide a favourable policy, tax and regulatory climate for private sector investment in this sector,” it said in a statement.

The MHC lauded the health ministry for allowing the loan of medicine stock to private healthcare facilities, saying public-private collaborations should be further promoted for patients’ benefit.

“The health ministry must lead and coordinate the medicine utilisation data collection process to improve the current medicine procurement strategy and prioritise distribution of medicines to facilities with higher demands,” it said.

Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin had said the drug shortage mostly involved antibiotics, paediatric medications, cough syrups as well as medicines for food poisoning, fever and common flu.