Global Energy Crisis : MOH To Boost Measures On Supply Of Medicine And Medical Devices

PUTRAJAYA, April 9 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) is actively boosting medicines and medical device supplies by strengthening buffer stocks following the current global energy crisis.

In a statement today, MOH said this includes diversifying supply sources and continuously monitoring raw materials and the supply chain with the industry to identify the risks of disruption earlier and address them in a targeted manner.

“This crisis has affected the global supply chain, including medicines and medical devices and has impacted delivery and created instability of access to several critical medical devices, especially imported products for high-risk categories.

“This situation also, among other things, has affected the ability of suppliers to meet contractual obligations, in addition to potentially affecting the continuity of health service delivery if not addressed immediately,” said the Ministry of Health.

In addition, supply management is being implemented prudently through distribution based on clinical needs and rational use, apart from the preparation of alternative clinical treatment plans and facilitating regulatory processes to ensure continued access to medicines.

MOH has also implemented special access pathways, activation of emergency response plans, determination of control items and expansion of the use of e-Labelling for medical devices.

In the medium and long term, focus is given to strengthening supply resilience through the transition from the use of resin materials to polymers, the implementation of Unique Device Identification and the development of a local industry for medical devices.

“For medicines, the development of a medicine supply security policy through the MyMedSecure initiative, strengthening local production, digitalisation of the supply chain and the creation of a national strategic buffer stock," said MOH.

-- BERNAMA