KUALA LUMPUR,April – Healthcare experts are urging immediate and long-term reforms to safeguard the country’s medicine supply, as pharmacists call for the establishment of buffer stock systems and stronger domestic pharmaceutical production.
The call was led by the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS), which stressed that Malaysia must take proactive steps to ensure a stable and resilient supply of essential medicines, especially in the face of global supply chain disruptions.
MPS president Amrahi Buang described the government’s recent move to require pharmaceutical companies to report potential drug shortages at least six months in advance—effective July 1—as a positive and forward-looking measure. However, he emphasized that early reporting alone is insufficient without broader structural reforms.
He highlighted that Malaysia’s heavy reliance on imported medicines—estimated at around 70 percent of total supply—makes the country vulnerable to external shocks such as geopolitical tensions, logistics disruptions, and global crises.
Drawing lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, Amrahi pointed out how even basic medicines like paracetamol faced shortages, underscoring the urgent need for a more secure and self-reliant system.
“To avoid repeating past shortages, Malaysia must develop strategic buffer stocks for critical medicines and strengthen local manufacturing capabilities,” he said, adding that stockpiles could act as a safeguard during emergencies such as pandemics, wars, or natural disasters.
He also called for a review of the National Essential Medicines List to ensure that priority drugs are adequately stocked and accessible nationwide. Additionally, diversifying import sources—particularly from countries like China and India—was suggested as a way to reduce overdependence on a limited number of suppliers.
Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Mesra Pengguna Malaysia (PMPM) deputy president Azlin Othman described the early reporting policy as a crucial step to protect patients, although she acknowledged potential implementation challenges.
She noted that while maintaining buffer stock is practical for high-demand and essential medicines, forecasting shortages six months in advance may be difficult for drugs dependent on volatile global raw material supplies.
To address this, Azlin proposed the creation of a centralised digital monitoring system, regular audits, and faster communication channels between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers. These measures, she said, would help ensure timely responses to supply disruptions and prevent treatment delays.
She also stressed that medicine shortages can have serious consequences, forcing doctors to alter treatment plans for patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and infections requiring antibiotics.
From a regulatory standpoint, Azlin recommended imposing penalties on companies that fail to comply with reporting requirements, while also offering incentives to those that proactively support supply stability.
The Malaysian government has already begun shifting toward a more proactive strategy. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad recently announced that mandatory early reporting of medicine shortages will be implemented as part of broader efforts to strengthen preparedness against global uncertainties.
This initiative forms part of a wider national approach to healthcare resilience, which includes improving stockpile management, enhancing supply chain monitoring, and encouraging domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Experts agree that combining buffer stock strategies with stronger local production represents the most sustainable long-term solution. By reducing reliance on imports and improving coordination across the healthcare ecosystem, Malaysia aims to build a more secure and responsive medicine supply system for the future.
