National Medicines Policy 2013 - 2017

Having just participated in the workshop for the Malaysian National Medicines Policy (MNMP) or  DUNas (Dasar Ubat Nasional) in Bahasa Malaysia for short, it is to be highlighted that there are 5 components to this 2nd Edition of the Policy which covers the years 2013 to 2017.

The 5 components are 1) Governance in Medicines 2) Quality, Safety & Efficacy of Medicines 3.1) Access to Medicines 3.2) Affordability of Medicines 4) Quality Use of Medicines 5) Partnership and Collaboration for the Healthcare Industry.

Basically this National Policy is to encourage and ensure the successful and healthy development of the domestic Pharmaceutical Industry and to encourage exports to the global markets. It will also ensure that all Malaysians will be able to access to quality, safe and efficacious essential medicines at affordable prices, and, with informed choices.

The workshop, was conducted "off-site", over a period of 4 days and 3 nights, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is to facilitate quality output in the designing of the implementation plans.

The workshop brought together all the relevant healthcare stakeholders to explore, accelerate, enable and facilitate this national agenda. This workshop, driven by the Ministry of Health is in addition to the effort and activities under the NKEA program under the auspices of the PEMANDU unit in the Prime Minister's department.

I believe Malaysia has the talent, resources, skill, knowledge and technology know-how to transform and drive towards realising this Policy. The critical success factors are in the implementation and with the support of all parties.