Kuala lumpur: The government has confirmed that the country's supply of medicines and medical devices is stable and under control, with continuous measures being implemented to manage critical and high-risk items, according to Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the announcement was made during the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) Meeting No. 12. It was agreed that any cost adjustments would be carried out in a targeted manner based on risk level and actual needs. As of May 8, statistics show that 72 percent of recorded medicine items are at a low risk level, with 11.3 percent at medium risk and 16.8 percent at high risk requiring continuous monitoring.

In terms of medical devices, 81.7 percent are at low risk, 13.5 percent at medium risk, and 4.8 percent at high risk. The supply of raw materials and key components faces high risk due to reliance on imported sources, as stated at the Global Supply Crisis Briefing.

Further, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been urged to ensure transparency in medicine pricing to prevent undue financial pressure on the populace. Structured mitigation measures have been in place since the start of the crisis, including regular supply monitoring through a Special Task Force.

Additionally, the National Buffer Stock initiative was launched to bolster the stockpile of high-risk medicines and diversify supply sources through strategic partnerships with countries like China, Japan, and Uzbekistan.

The MOH has also established a Special Access Pathway to expedite the approval of critical medicine imports and is focusing on local industrial development to reduce reliance on imported medical devices. The government's overarching priority remains to ensure sufficient basic supplies, control price pressures, maintain industrial operations, protect jobs, and provide targeted aid to those in need.