THE short supply of medicines, especially at pharmacies and private health facilities, is not due to panic buying, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the high demand for certain medications follows the spread of the Omicron variant and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

However, the supply shortage involves only certain areas and medicines, he added.

“Many medicines are said to be in short supply, but have not run out of stock. These are medications for common illnesses such as flu, fever and headache and so on.

“Maybe this is related to the time when many were infected with Covid-19 and after that, HFMD.”

The Health Ministry is conducting a review with medicine manufacturers and importers to obtain detailed information on the supply of such medications, and feedback from the Malaysian Medical Association and private clinics.

“We will work with pharmaceutical manufacturing companies on whether to provide alternative medicines or import medicines,” said Khairy.

“We receive several complaints a day and we try to assist them in getting stock. Government facilities do not have such problems.” – Bernama, June 9, 2022.