Kuala lumpur: Malaysia’s pharmaceutical industry is emerging as a driver of high-value investment, skilled employment, and healthcare resilience, driven by regulatory and productivity reforms implemented in recent years, according to the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, these efforts have supported Malaysia’s climb to 23rd place in the 2025 International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking, marking the country’s highest position in over a decade. Under MPC’s guidance, the Pharmaceutical Productivity Nexus (PPN) has led to structural changes that contribute directly to economic value by streamlining product registration processes, aligning technical requirements across agencies, and reducing regulatory bottlenecks.
The MPC noted that two new pharmaceutical facilities have advanced to the development stage, unlocking investments and creating skilled employment opportunities. Additionally, two more facilities are progressing more rapidly under the streamlined processes. MPC director general Datuk Zahid Ismail highlighted that the sector’s transformation offers a blueprint for national economic renewal, emphasizing that removing bottlenecks translates to unlocked opportunities, whether in faster factory approvals, increased export readiness, or local production of critical medicines.
Ch’ng Kien Peng, the president of the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI) and PPN representative, stated that the pharmaceutical sector’s achievements demonstrate the potential of targeted, data-driven, and collaborative productivity reforms. These improvements extend beyond industry metrics, providing better access to affordable medicines, more quality jobs for Malaysians, and increased resilience in the healthcare supply chain.
The MPC further pointed out that the sector’s progress aligns with the objectives of the 12th Malaysia Plan, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, and the National Energy Transition Roadmap. These plans support economic growth and localized production of essential medicines while integrating environmental sustainability practices in facility operations. The MPC emphasized that continued investment in automation, digitalization, and skills development by industry players will sustain these gains, while government support in advancing mutual recognition agreements and inter-agency frameworks is crucial to maintaining momentum in the sector.