Latest Updates
(Year 2024)
Medication Replacement Notice: Tacrolimus 0.5mg Capsule (Prograf) To Be Replaced With Tacrolimus 0.5mg M/R Capsule (Advagraf)
With reference to the above matter, please be informed that the Drugs & Therapeutics (D&T) Meeting (No. 02/2022) has agreed to discontinue the supply of Tacrolimus 0.5mg Capsule (Prograf) from the Outpatient Pharmacy effective immediately upon depletion of the remaining stock.
Nephrology Specialists have agreed to use Tacrolimus 0.5mg M/R Capsule (Advagraf) as a replacement for Tacrolimus 0.5mg Capsule (Prograf) under the following criteria:
Supplied to kidney transplant patients recorded in the 'Immunosuppressant 2019' subsidy list of PPUM only.
Patients must be referred to the respective specialist clinic for a prescription switch.
A subsidy fee of RM200.00 will be charged to self-paying patients for a one-month supply.
Patients found unable to tolerate Tacrolimus 0.5mg M/R Capsule (Advagraf) and reverted by the specialist to Tacrolimus 0.5mg Capsule (Prograf) or deemed unsuitable for the switch may purchase Tacrolimus 0.5mg Capsule (Prograf) at full price from PharmUMMC Pharmacy.
New kidney transplant patients and other immunosuppressant treatments using Tacrolimus 0.5mg Capsule (Prograf) may purchase supplies from PharmUMMC Pharmacy.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring that this information is disseminated to all staff under your supervision.
Notice Regarding Disruption of Supply: Gliclazide 60mg M/R Tablets
It is with regret that we inform you of a manufacturing issue causing a disruption in the supply of Gliclazide 60mg M/R Tablets without a projected date for supply restoration. Orders for alternative supply through our secondary supplier are also affected. Additionally, all efforts to obtain stock loans have proven unsuccessful.The Pharmacy Department of PPUM is also endeavoring to import alternative stock, subject to approval from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during the period of supply disruption.
Notice Regarding Disruption of Supply: Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin 100units/0.5mL Injection
We regret to inform you that the entire country is currently experiencing a disruption in the supply of Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin 100units/0.5mL Injection due to manufacturing issues. The current inventory of Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin 100units/0.5mL Injection (Hepabig) in our pharmacy has an expiry date of April 6, 2024. Currently, the anticipated restoration of supply (by the sole distributor in Malaysia) is expected by the end of April 2024.The Pharmacy Department of PPUM is also endeavoring to import alternative stock, subject to approval from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Notice Regarding Disruption of Supply: Hepatitis B 10mcg/0.5mL Injection (Pediatric)
We regret to inform you that there is currently a disruption in the supply of Hepatitis B 10mcg/0.5ml Injection (Pediatric) due to manufacturing issues. Our supplier, Pharmaniaga Marketing Sdn Bhd, is unable to provide a confirmed timeline for when the supply will be restored.Alternative Solution:
To ensure continued treatment for pediatric patients, we recommend the use of Hepatitis B 20mcg/1mL Injection (Adult) with the following dosage guidance:Pediatric Dosage: 1 dose = 0.5mL* (equivalent to 10mcg HBsAg)*1 vial of Hepatitis B 20mcg/1mL Injection (Adult) contains 2 pediatric doses
Please note: Hepatitis B 20mcg/1mL Injection (Adult) and Hepatitis B 10mcg/0.5mL Injection (Pediatric) are similar in appearance and name, which falls under the LASA (look alike sound alike) category. Hence, it is crucial for all staff involved in medication administration to exercise caution during dosage calculations. We strongly advise implementing a double-checking process during both preparation and administration to ensure accuracy.
The stability of this vaccine after vial opening is 6 hours at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is requested that wards adhere to the medication storage procedures outlined in the Arahan Kerja Pemantauan Ubat Rangkaian Sejuk dan Peti Sejuk (AK-8.5-PHS-018-040-E01).
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during the period of supply disruption.
Notice Regarding Drug Supply Restoration: Ampicillin 500mg Injection, Albumin Human 5% Injection
We are pleased to inform you that the supply of the following medications has been restored to its normal state, as follows:Ampicillin 500mg injection (with reference to SP PPUM: 039/2024 dated January 26, 2024)
Albumin Human 5% Injection (with reference to SP PPUM: 441/2023 dated September 27, 2023)
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during the period of supply disruption.
Notice Regarding Drug Supply Restoration: Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate 10mmol/10mL Injection and Factor VIII 250 units Injection
We are pleased to inform you that the supply of the following medications has been restored to its normal state, as follows:Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate 10mmol/10mL Injection (with reference to SP PPUM: 486/2023 dated October 19, 2023)
Factor VIII 250 units Injection (with reference to SP PPUM: 060/2024 dated February 2, 2024)
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during the period of supply disruption.
Notice Regarding Disruption of Supply for Paxlovid 150mg + 100mg Tablets
We would like to inform you that our existing Paxlovid 150mg + 100mg Tablets are set to expire on February 29, 2024. Additionally, the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) will no longer provide allocations for this medication anymore and hence we will not keep this in our formulary anymore.Therefore, all medical officers involved are requested to refer patients in need of treatment with this medication to private pharmacies outside of PPUM or relevant KKM facilities to obtain a fresh supply.We appreciate your attention to this matter and cooperation in ensuring the continued care of patients.
Temporary Supply Disruption: Brimonidine 0.1% Eye Drops
We want to bring to your attention a temporary supply disruption that the pharmacy is currently facing for Brimonidine 0.1% Eye Drops. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.Key Information:
Supply Disruption: Brimonidine 0.1% Eye Drops
Expected Resumption: April 2024
Alternative Solution:
To ensure the continuous care of our valued patients, we are providing a suggested alternative during this period of disruption. We recommend transitioning to Brimonidine 0.15% Eye Drops, which will be readily available until the stocks for Brimonidine 0.1% Eye Drops are replenished.Medication Supply Disruption: Bupivacaine 0.5% w/v Adrenaline 1:200,000 Injection
Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Bupivacaine 0.5% w/v Adrenaline 1:200,000 Injection.Stocks for Bupivacaine 0.5% w/v Adrenaline 1:200,000 Injection are expected to resume in Apr-2024.Medication Supply Disruption: Factor VIII 250units Injection
Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Factor VIII 250units Injection.Stocks for Factor VIII 250units Injection are expected to resume by early of Mar-2024.Medication Supply Disruption: Ampicillin 500mg Injection
Pharmacy is currently facing supply disruption for Ampicillin 500mg Injection and unfortunately the supplier is unable to predict when the supply will resume.Existing stocks will be reserved for targeted treatment (i.e. Enterococcus sp infection) only.
Intrapartum prophylaxis against Group B Streptococcus (GBS)Suggested alternative: Benzylpenicillin Injection or Cefazolin Injection
Empirical treatmentSuggested alternative: Ampicillin-Sulbactam Injection or Co-Amoxiclav Injection