Shortening of drug dosage due to supply issue — Dr Yii
KUCHING: The issue of shortening the dosage of the antihypertensive drug prescription from government hospitals and clinics was due to lack of supply from the pharmaceutical company appointed by the Health Ministry ( MOH).
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said in a press statement here yesterday that the dispensing of anti-hypertensive drug, specifically Tablet Telmisartan 40mg and Tablet Telmisartan 80mg to patients was reduced from one month to half a month since the middle of this year.
The shortened dispensing period of the said drugs was said to be due to issues related to medicine supply chain as the pharmaceutical company appointed is facing manufacturing problem and in turn supplying the drugs.
As a temporary measure, doctors have been informed by the pharmacy department under the MOH to prescribe alternative anti-hypertensive medications if the condition of patient permits.
“However, in cases where patients continue to require Tablet Telmisartan 40mg or Tablet Telmisartan 80mg, they will then have no choice but to prescribe in stages for a maximum two weeks at one time.
“The ministry has assured that this situation is only temporary and the supplier has also given its assurance that the lack of supply issue is being addressed. There is no change in policy nor is there a cut in health budget as claimed by some quarters,” he said.
Besides, Dr Yii added that the Pakatan Harapan ( PH) government has allocated the biggest allocation to healthcare in Budget 2019, an increase of 7.8 per cent from the previous Budget 2018.
“This again shows our commitment and focus on healthcare and to take care of the needs of our people,” he said while adding that the federal government is facing various limitations and financial constraints.
However, he urged MOH to resolve the issues promptly and assured that he will continue to follow up with the ministry until the issues are properly addressed.
“Healthcare is not something that should be compromised even during tough economic times such as the present one,” he said.