MoH assures M’sia has adequate medicine supply, despite global shortage

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is not facing an overall medicine supply shortage, especially those containing paracetamol and vitamin C, as there are alternatives available while manufacturers have increased production, said the Health Ministry.

The ministry added that demand for such medicines have shot up, based on yesterday’s feedback from the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Industries Organisation, the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Association and the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Suppliers’ Association.

“There is a sudden increase in demand for medicines containing paracetamol and vitamin C as well as cough and cold medication for children.

“Manufacturers have increased their production capacity to meet the high demand.”

Its response came after reports of medicine shortages to counter fever, the common cold, cough and sore throat, as well as antibiotics and painkillers, amid rising cases of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Yesterday, the Malaysian Medical Association highlighted the global medicine supply shortage, stressing that there will be dire consequences if the situation is left uncorrected.

President Dr Koh Kah Chai said pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers and distributors globally were caught off guard by the “unprecedented demand”.

He added that while the industry in Malaysia responded to the situation by placing larger orders from product manufacturers overseas, local manufacturers scrambled to increase production capacities – which is dependent on raw material sourced from other countries. – The Vibes, June 3, 2022