Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said today that a taskforce will be set up to review the monopoly of medicine supply at public hospitals in the country.

The decision, he said, was made by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the cabinet meeting this morning.

According to Dzulkefly, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali will lead the taskforce, of which he is also a member.

"A thorough study will be conducted on the issue of monopoly by certain suppliers to find the best approach in curbing the rise in procurement cost (of medicine).

"Mahathir wants this issue to be resolved as soon as possible as it has cropped out many times," he said at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

The Transport and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministries and will also be roped in to sit on the taskforce, Dzulkefly said, which is aimed at ensuring taxpayers' money is properly used in the procurement of medicine for public hospitals.

On a separate matter, Dzulkefly said the government has agreed to the setting up of a health advisory council which will comprise five to seven eminent persons who are experts in various fields.

He said the figures will be internationally recognised and details will be provided next week.

"They will sit on the council for two years to help with improving our health services," he said.