KUALA LUMPUR: Because to the Covid-19 Omicron wave, the demand for paracetamol has more than doubled, and the price of its raw materials has increased by more than 100%.
The Health Ministry’s Pharmaceutical Services senior director, Norhaliza A. Halim, stated on Tuesday that this was based on initial response from the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (Mopi).
Mopi, on the other hand, declared that its members were dedicated to increasing paracetamol production in order to meet local demand.
According to Norhaliza, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has certified that inventories of paracetamol tablets, oral suspension, and syrup are accessible, based on comments from the primary providers of paracetamol in the local market: GlaxoSmithKline, Duopharma, and Idaman Pharma.
“NPRA is also gathering information from other product registration holders for paracetamol registered with the agency.”
It was stated that paracetamol, a medicine used to treat fever and headaches, was difficult to find in the city’s pharmacies and convenience stores.
Checks at pharmacies revealed that shelves showing the drug, particularly a popular brand, were nearly empty, owing to the huge demand during the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Currently, there is no deficit in terms of supply to the Health Ministry’s facilities,” she responded, when asked if the ministry’s healthcare facilities were facing a similar issue.
“(And) the supplier has confirmed the weekly entrance of inventories to fulfil the country’s need for health institutions.”
