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 today.
| ADVERTISEMENT |
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.
-- MORE
H1N1-MEDICINE 2 KUALA LUMPUR
Meanwhile, Datuk 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 Datuk Seri 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 have registered under the programme, he added.
They comprised 39 in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur (29), Melaka (5), Kedah (13), Perak (11), Johor (13), Negeri Sembilan (9), Pahang (3), Penang (19), Sabah (3) and Terengganu (1).
-- MORE
H1N1-MEDICINE 3 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
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
No comments:
Post a Comment