MMA expresses concern over human insulin shortage

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has expressed concern over the recent shortage of human insulin at local health facilities.

Its president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said MMA acknowledges the Health Ministry’s efforts to address the issue but it is gravely worried about the potential impact on patients, particularly those relying on human insulin for diabetes management.

“The decision to switch patients from human insulin to more expensive alternatives, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and insulin analogues, raises several significant concerns.

“While these alternatives may be effective for some, the sudden transition, driven by necessity rather than clinical preference, may pose risks, especially if patients are not adequately monitored or if they do not respond well to the new treatments,” Azizan said in a statement today.

She was responding to the ministry recently clarifying that production issues caused the recent disruption in human insulin supply at its local facilities.

The ministry, however, assured that it has implemented several measures to ensure uninterrupted patient treatment, including increasing the use of insulin analogues and oral therapies, as determined by the clinical assessments of the treating physicians for each patient.

Concerns raised

Elaborating, Azizan said the MMA is particularly concerned about three aspects, namely patient safety and treatment efficacy, the potential for worsening health outcomes, and supply chain stability.

For the first aspect, Azizan said the shift to alternative treatments must be carried out with extreme caution and closely monitored, especially for vulnerable patients such as those with Type 1 diabetes, pregnant women, and those with kidney failure.

As for the second aspect, Azizan said the criteria for switching from human insulin to alternative treatments must be carefully adhered to, while not replacing the individualised care that each patient deserves.

“The risk of worsening glycemic control and the potential for increased complications must be mitigated through rigorous follow-up and patient education.”

Thirdly, Azizan noted that the current crisis underscores the need for a more robust and diversified supply chain for essential medications like insulin.

“The MMA urges the Health Ministry to expedite the identification of alternative manufacturers and to work towards ensuring such shortages do not recur in the future.

“The MMA calls for transparency and open communication with the public and healthcare providers as this situation develops. We strongly recommend that the ministry establishes a nationwide committee to oversee the management of stock and supply of essential medicines.”

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