KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) expresses deep concern over the shortage of human insulin which has led to the adjustment of treatment regimens for diabetes patients.
Its president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz described the shortage of human insulin in Malaysia as "unprecedented" but acknowledged the Health Ministry's action to overcome the matter.
However, she said putting in place an alternative to human insulin for patients could cause problems if a patient did not respond positively to it because treatment is personalised.
"The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) expresses deep concern over the unprecedented shortage of human insulin in the country, which has led to the recent decision by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to adjust the treatment regimens for diabetes patients.
"While we acknowledge the MOH's efforts to address this crisis through emergency measures, we are gravely worried about the potential impact on patient outcomes, particularly for those who rely on human insulin for their diabetes management," she said in a statement.
Dr Azizan said switching from human insulin to more expensive options like SGLT2 inhibitors and insulin analogs can be risky for patients.
"While these alternatives might benefit some, the sudden change driven by necessity rather than choice could be problematic, especially if patients don't respond well."
She said switching from human insulin to alternative treatments must be managed carefully and should not replace the personalised care each patient deserves.
"To reduce the risk of worsening glycemic control and potential complications, thorough follow-up and patient education are essential.
"This crisis highlights the need for a stronger supply chain for essential medications like insulin," she added.
Additionally, the MMA urges the MoH to quickly find alternative manufacturers and prevent future shortages.
The MMA also recommends establishing a nationwide committee to manage the stock and supply of essential medicines.