By Sharina Ahmad
PHARMACEUTICAL companies in Malaysia are working closely with the government and are coping well with the demand spike caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. The supplies involved supporting the development of vaccines to planning for medicines in short supply.
Pharmaniaga Bhd group managing director Datuk Farshila Emran told FocusM that the company is handling well the current pharmaceutical demand and there will be no disruption to the supply of medicines to all government hospitals and clinics.
“We are coping very well and keep making sure all orders are delivered. We also have regular meetings with suppliers and, of course, observing social distancing as well,” said Farshila.
She said wholly-owned subsidiary Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd (PLSB) will continue to provide timely door-to-door service delivery of medicines even to the remotest areas in the country during the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
“This is an unprecedented situation and we prepared ourselves by conducting a simulation of various scenarios for PLSB to operate in ensuring the pharmaceutical supplies will reach all the government hospitals and clinics within the stipulated delivery period.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Health in monitoring the situation and, be rest assured, we will continue to provide our best service for the rakyat,” she said.
As the government imposed a 14-day nationwide MCO beginning March 18, Pharmaniaga urges the public to stay committed to observing this order to further curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
According to Farshila, the disposable products for personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline staff have increased in demand.
“Most of the PPE is imported. High time for the government to support Malaysian companies to invest in capacity building for such equipment,” she said.
She added that the limited raw materials for disposables like face masks are mostly from China.
“Looking at the subsiding trend of Covid-19 cases in China, we hope they will start operation soon so our manufacturers can have the quantity in demand.”
Meanwhile, Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib opined that in the short term, the existing pharmaceutical supply chain for Malaysia may suffer little disruption.
“The logistics and supply framework is sufficiently well supported with adequate in-country supply. The pharmaceutical logistics chain is not likely to be affected by the MCO, as it has essential services status.
“However, the continued closure of pharmaceutical suppliers in China could result in serious problems in the manufacturing of generic medicines here. Most active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in the production of drugs come from China,” Azrul told FocusM.
He said more than 70% of the drug supply in Malaysia is generic, whether imported or produced locally.
“A disruption in API supply will definitely have an impact on the availability of drugs in the country. The closure of India’s borders will also have an effect, as a large number of Malaysia’s drugs are sourced from there.
“The combination of those two factors could lead to doctors unable to prescribe proper medicines and people to delay or defer treatment,” said Azrul who is also a social activist.
He noted that the National Security Council has also permitted the pharmaceutical industry to resume operations during the partial lockdown.
Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd analyst Farah Diyana Kamaludin viewed the pharmaceutical industry as a recession-proof industry.
“The demand increased for pharmaceutical supplies especially from drugs and non-drugs that are related to the Covid-19. Others are relatively the same, given the pandemic situation,” she told FocusM. – March 19, 2020
