MOH Vows to Crack Down on Anti-Competitive Practices in Medicine Procurement

The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Malaysia has relayed its commitment to addressing issues of exclusivity, price collusion, and anti-competitive practices in the procurement of medicines. This move is a response to concerns about pharmaceutical manufacturers and suppliers charging the government higher prices than those offered in the private sector, particularly among single product registration holders for patented and generic products.

The MOH has held discussions with industry stakeholders to tackle these challenges and is implementing a two-phase improvement plan. The first phase aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles in the approval process by collaborating with the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) and streamlining the registration of medical devices, equipment, and private health facilities. The second phase focuses on enhancing the procurement process, allowing the government to renegotiate prices and consider cheaper alternatives, with increased oversight by Integrity Unit officers.

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The ministry, which spends RM5 billion to RM6 billion annually on pharmaceuticals, supports Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to address cost-of-living issues in Budget 2025 by combating corruption and monopolies. The MOH is also reviewing its procurement policies to ensure transparency, fair competition, and value for government expenditure, highlighting the importance of supply chain security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Bernama

Tags: anti-competitive practices, medicine, MJN enews, MoH, pharmaceutical

Category: MJN enews