It is understandable the government needs time to make a decision on Pharmaniaga Bhd’s logistics and distribution concession for drugs and medical supplies but how much time is needed?

The government has yet to announce its decision on the concession that will end on Nov 3. It should by now have studied whether the concession has met the objectives when it was first implemented and identified current needs.

Dr Salmah Bahri, former Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Services Programme Ministry of Health in a media report published in The Star on Aug 30 was quoted as saying that as an expert in the field, the government should make a decision on the concession urgently.

This, she said, is to avoid any disruption in the supply chain that will adversely affect patients directly and the rakyat as a whole.

Pharmaniaga Bhd is currently the logistics and distribution concessionaire for drugs and medical supplies in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, MIDF Research in its report published on Aug 27 is confident Pharmaniaga will be awarded the concession based on its years of experience and expertise in logistics and distribution.

It said the company had invested heavily to ensure efficient deliveries of pharmaceutical products including to remote areas in the country.

The research firm also stated the fact that it would take up at least 4 years for other competitors to reach the same capability of Pharmaniaga.