KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — Voicing serious concern about the human insulin shortage in Malaysia resulting in the Health Ministry’s recent decision to adjust the treatment regimen for diabetes patients, the Malaysian Medical Association has urged the Health Ministry to establish a committee to monitor the management of essential medicines across the country.
It also expressed alarm over the ministry’s decision to switch patients from human insulin to more expensive alternatives such as SGLT2 inhibitors and insulin analogues, warning that the sudden transition, which was driven by necessity rather than clinical preference, may pose risks for patients who do not respond well to the new regimen or are not monitored enough, English daily The Star reported today.
“While we acknowledge the ministry’s efforts to address this crisis through emergency measures, we are gravely worried about the potential impact on patient outcomes, particularly for those who rely on human insulin for diabetes management,” MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz was quoted as saying in a statement today.
“We are particularly concerned about patient safety and treatment efficacy, the potential for worsening health outcomes, and supply chain stability,” she said.
As the situation unfolds, the MMA emphasised the need for clarity and regular updates for both the public and healthcare providers.
Yesterday, a statement by the Health Ministry said that the disruption in human insulin supply was attributed to production problems with a local supplier.
