CHALLENGES FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC
The insights shared by the pharmaceutical industry experts emphasise the need to strengthen the local pharmaceutical industry for national security and public health. The following are the ways forward to strengthen the pharmaceutical industry during a crisis. STRENGTHENING THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY RESILIENCE
In a recent discussion among industry experts, members of the pharmaceutical sector shared their insights on the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The conversation highlighted the importance of having a robust local pharmaceutical industry and the lessons learned for future preparedness and response. The following are excerpts from the discussion.
ENHANCE COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION
ADDRESS SCARCITY OF RESOURCES
An essential aspect of local pharmaceutical manufacturing is the availability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). While the local industry may focus on manufacturing formulations, the reliance on API imports can create vulnerabilities in the supply chain. The possibility of establishing a local API industry for increased security is essential; however, this solution may not be economically viable right now for Malaysia. Instead, collaborating with API suppliers in the region or globally may offer a more practical approach to ensure a stable supply. ABSENCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS POLICY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL Drawing from their experiences, one of the speakers stressed the need for a comprehensive and detailed pandemic preparedness policy at the national level. This policy should encompass all aspects of operations, providing clear guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure a seamless transition from normal to pandemic phases. LIMITED LOCAL ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS (API) SUPPLY AND RELIANCE ON API IMPORTS
The pandemic made us realise the need to identify essential industries beyond pharmaceutical manufacturing. Supporting industries such as the packaging industry is also crucial for sustaining the supply chain and plays a vital role in supporting pharmaceutical manufacturers. Having a clear list of essential industries will help prioritise support during future crises and guarantee the nation’s critical needs are met. ABSENCE OF A DEFINING ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES AND PRIORITISING SUPPORTING INDUSTRIES RECOGNISING PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING AS A VITAL INDUSTRY The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry’s resilience in supplying essential medicines during crises has stressed the importance of recognising it as an important and strategic industry for any country. Essential medicines are the backbone of healthcare systems, and ensuring continuous availability is vital for providing adequate medical treatment to the population.
The scarcity of resources, particularly manpower, occur during pandemic and post- pandemic periods. Although the pharmaceutical industry relies on local workers, certain critical suppliers, such as packaging material providers, face challenges due to a lack of resources. Addressing this issue requires better coordination and improved approval processes to expedite access to necessary resources.
Improvement in collaboration and coordination between various agencies and ministries, including the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is essential. A unified and coordinated approach would enhance the pharmaceutical industry’s ability to respond effectively during crises and ensure essential medicines are readily available.
It is crucial to recognise pharmaceutical manufacturing as a critical and essential industry. This recognition would empower the industry to be better equipped to support the nation during times of crisis. Hence, support from pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical private sectors can be gained, and any programs that enhance government capacities and compliance can be identified and planned during the pandemic. ENSURE HEALTH SECURITY CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES ARE GIVEN PRIORITY
IMPROVE INDUSTRY TRAINING AND AWARENESS The successful implementation of pandemic policies requires proper training and awareness Companies should be well- versed in the execution of guidelines and policies to ensure a smooth transition from regular operations to crisis management. programmes across the pharmaceutical sector.
To further enhance preparedness, the development of a versatile one-stop policy that can apply to various emergency scenarios, including pandemics, natural disasters, and war, is key. This holistic approach would enable companies to act quickly and effectively during crises, minimising disruptions to the pharmaceutical supply chain. ESTABLISH A ONE-STOP POLICY FOR VARIOUS EMERGENCIES
GAPS IN MEDICINE SUPPLY
It is identified that not all medicines were reliably available locally, indicating a potential gap in the system. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts between the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory bodies, like the Ministry of Health, to identify and rectify these gaps and ensure a comprehensive and reliable supply chain for essential medicines.
Malaysian Technology Strategic Outlook 2023/2024 Energy, Healthcare & Space Industry 86
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker