KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — The government will establish a national stockpile of medicines and medical devices to safeguard supply chains amid the ongoing global energy crisis.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the move is part of medium- and long-term strategies to ensure consistent access to essential healthcare resources.
He noted that disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict could affect raw materials such as active pharmaceutical ingredients and industrial gases, driving up costs.
Measures include developing a national medicine security policy under MyMedSecure, diversifying imports, and strengthening local industries.
Short-term steps involve central monitoring, emergency response activation, and a Special Access Pathway to secure critical supplies, ensuring resilience and continued access for Malaysians.
