The current shortage of insulin in Malaysia raises significant concerns for the healthcare system and the well-being of individuals with diabetes. Current shortage would particularly affect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, low-income patients, and those living in rural areas with limited access to healthcare resources.
We are even getting reports that due to the shortage, patients are forced to switch oral medications instead which may not be as effective on person itself, risking possible uncontrolled blood sugar levels, increased risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and even life-threatening situations like diabetic ketoacidosis.
What is concerning is this seems to be an annual issue which reflect poor planning and even management on side of the government to ensure steady supply of such critical medication. That is why i urge for urgent intervention including short & medium term measures to ensure a steady flow of supply of insulin.
(1) Short -term
-First and foremost, there must be proper enforcement to ensure there are no sudden price hikes dues to low supply of such drugs.
– The Government then can consider short -term subsidies for patients to get it from alternative sources including from the private sector
– increase awareness on insulin adherence and education against wastage among existing patients.
(2) Mid-term
– Government should be looking at alternative sources both locally and internationally for insulin including looking fast-tracking approvals(if it meets all regulatory requirements) for alternative insulin sources and facilitating imports from other countries if necessary.
-Run an audit and necessary optimisation of the supply chain including improving Stockpiling and Inventory Management to ensure n adequate stockpile of insulin and ensure effective inventory management to prevent shortages at the national and local levels on an annual basis.
-Public-Private Partnerships.
Government should look at strengthening collaboration with Pharmaceutical Companies to secure long-term supply contracts and encourage local production of insulin to reduce dependence on imports. In Malaysia itself there are local manufacturers including one in Johor. There should be incentives for these local manufacturers to prioritise domestic supplies especially in time of shortage, on top of better investment in local insulin production facilities to ensure medicinal security
(3) Long-term
The core issue is that we have an Non-communicable Disease(NCDs) crisis especially the prevalence of diabetes in our country. There has to be holistic policies not just from the Ministry of Health but even reasonable taxation to discourage usage of sugar in our daily lives. If we do not nip this issue in the bud, we will not just continue to have annual shortqges, but worst we will continue to age as an unhealthy nation.
I believe there has to be a concentrated effort by whole of governmwnt to address this issue. It is not just affecting the health of our nation but also the economy and productivity of our nation.