EP31 Hot Issue - Critical Shortage of Drugs in the Public Hospitals.

Malaysia - Public hospitals across the country are facing a critical shortage of medications, including those needed to treat serious Covid-19 cases. Among drugs reportedly low on supply are multiple meds used for sedation and muscle relaxants, anticoagulant drug Clexane, pain medication Faentayl as well as other such as Pantoprazole, which is used to treat patients who developed intestinal bleeding due to usage of medicines used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. The medicines involved are those widely used in intubation procedures at intensive care units (ICUs). The sources said the hospitals had to use alternative drugs to treat the patients and described the shortage as “abnormal”. Nationwide drug shortage is driven by a “sudden increase” in demand for Covid-19 treatment.