Recurring insulin shortage in Malaysia ‘highlights govt management failures’, Bandar Kuching MP calls for strategic overhaul

Dr Kelvin Yii

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Aug 21: The recurring insulin shortage in Malaysia is a troubling issue that highlights poor planning and management by the Malaysian government in ensuring a reliable supply of this critical medication.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii noted that the shortage poses severe risks to the healthcare system and the well-being of individuals with diabetes, especially affecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, low-income patients, and those in rural areas with limited healthcare access.

Dr Yii said the shortage has forced some patients to switch to oral medications, which may be less effective and could lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and increases the risk of severe complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis.

“That is why I am urging for urgent intervention, including both short-term and medium-term measures to stabilise the insulin supply,” he said in a statement today.

For immediate relief, he recommended enforcing regulations to prevent price hikes due to limited supply and considering short-term subsidies for patients to access insulin from private sources.

“In the medium-term, the government should explore alternative insulin sources both locally and internationally, fast-tracking approvals for alternative products (if they meet all regulatory requirements), and improving supply chain management to avoid future shortages.

“Run an audit and necessary optimisation of the supply chain, including improving stockpiling and inventory management to ensure adequate stockpile of insulin and ensure effective inventory management to prevent shortages at the national and local levels on an annual basis,” he said.

Dr Yii also said that strengthening collaborations with pharmaceutical companies for long-term supply contracts and investing in local insulin production are also crucial steps.

“In Malaysia, there are local manufacturers with 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,” he added.

Looking ahead, Dr Yii underscored the need for comprehensive policies not only from the Ministry of Health (MOH) but also through reasonable taxation to reduce sugar consumption and address the broader issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

He warned that without addressing these root causes, Malaysia will continue to face annual shortages and health challenges, impacting both national health and economic productivity.

“A concerted effort by the entire government is essential to tackle this issue,” he said, emphasising its critical importance for the nation’s well-being. — DayakDaily