ID :
76762
Mon, 08/24/2009 - 22:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/76762
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SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF ANTIVIRAL MEDICINE FOR H1N1 IN MALAYSIA
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- The supply of antiviral medicine for treatment of Influenza A (H1N1) is sufficient to meet the needs of patients in government hospitals and clinics, as well as those in private hospitals, vice-president of the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI) Leonard Ariff Abd Shatar said Monday.
He said there would be no shortage of the antiviral medicine, including
Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate), which was used in the treatment of influenza.
"I don't believe there will be a shortage. I think the combination of local
manufacturers and the stockpile from the government will be sufficient to
treat people in Malaysia," he said when met by Bernama.
He said the supply of the antiviral oseltamivir, especially to private
hospitals and clinics, was currently provided by three manufacturers, namely
Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM), Royce Pharma Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and
Ranbaxy (M) Sdn Bhd.
On measures taken by the government to overcome the spread of H1N1, Leonard
said he was satisfied as the government had made early preparations, including
having a stockpile of the antiviral since three years ago.
Meanwhile, Dr Rahman Ismail, the managing director of Alriz Sdn Bhd, a
medicine supplier, assured private clinics and hospitals which were registered
under a H1N1 campaign for clinics which was launched by Health Minister Liow
Tiong recently, of prompt delivery of the antiviral medicine.
In the Klang Valley areas, delivery could be made within 24 hours, while in
other areas in the peninsula and in Sabah and Sarawak, they would get their
supply in a week, he added.
The campaign was jointly organised by Alriz Sdn Bhd and Ranbaxy Malaysia Sdn
Bhd. The companies are offering private hospitals and clinics registered under
the campaign RM80 a box for the antiviral oseltamivir. The normal price is RM180
per box.
So far, 147 private hospitals and clinics throughout Malaysia have
registered under the
programme, he added.
Dr Rahman said hospitals and clinics which were registered under the
programme would be monitored to ensure the antiviral medicine was not sold at a
higher price.
He said patients should lodge complaints should they be made to pay more
when they went to get their antiviral injection at the participating hospitals
or clinics.
-- BERNAMA
He said there would be no shortage of the antiviral medicine, including
Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate), which was used in the treatment of influenza.
"I don't believe there will be a shortage. I think the combination of local
manufacturers and the stockpile from the government will be sufficient to
treat people in Malaysia," he said when met by Bernama.
He said the supply of the antiviral oseltamivir, especially to private
hospitals and clinics, was currently provided by three manufacturers, namely
Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM), Royce Pharma Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and
Ranbaxy (M) Sdn Bhd.
On measures taken by the government to overcome the spread of H1N1, Leonard
said he was satisfied as the government had made early preparations, including
having a stockpile of the antiviral since three years ago.
Meanwhile, Dr Rahman Ismail, the managing director of Alriz Sdn Bhd, a
medicine supplier, assured private clinics and hospitals which were registered
under a H1N1 campaign for clinics which was launched by Health Minister Liow
Tiong recently, of prompt delivery of the antiviral medicine.
In the Klang Valley areas, delivery could be made within 24 hours, while in
other areas in the peninsula and in Sabah and Sarawak, they would get their
supply in a week, he added.
The campaign was jointly organised by Alriz Sdn Bhd and Ranbaxy Malaysia Sdn
Bhd. The companies are offering private hospitals and clinics registered under
the campaign RM80 a box for the antiviral oseltamivir. The normal price is RM180
per box.
So far, 147 private hospitals and clinics throughout Malaysia have
registered under the
programme, he added.
Dr Rahman said hospitals and clinics which were registered under the
programme would be monitored to ensure the antiviral medicine was not sold at a
higher price.
He said patients should lodge complaints should they be made to pay more
when they went to get their antiviral injection at the participating hospitals
or clinics.
-- BERNAMA
