PETALING JAYA: Private health facilities are allowed to borrow medicines from government facilities, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

       He said this measure, along with a few others, was to curb the issue of medicine shortages currently faced by private facilities.

       ALSO READ: Medicine shortage not due to panic buying, says Khairy

       Other measures include having patients referred to the nearest public facility, where their medication regimens might be adjusted based on availability; or allowing patients to buy their own medications at community pharmacies using prescriptions.

       "The Health Ministry hopes the measures can give a temporary solution to the issue of medication shortages at private health facilities and ensure continuous quality health services to the people," Khairy said in a statement on Monday (June 13).

       The ministry was still working on long-term solutions, Khairy added.

       ALSO READ: Ample supply of life-saving drugs

       He said the ministry had also shared information on alternative medicines that private health facilities and community pharmacies can offer to patients to replace those with supply disruptions.

       "The list will be updated from time to time.

       "This measure is taken to reduce the impact of the current situation and to ensure optimal use of generic drugs which are still available in the market," he said.