The group said this after a meeting with the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA) yesterday to address the association’s concerns regarding its Practice Note 17 (PN17) status and issues pertaining to delays in payment to its suppliers.

In a statement today, Pharmaniaga said that most of its obligations to the suppliers have been cleared, and it will continue to honour all commitments to ensure patients’ access to medicine remains uninterrupted and intact.

The group also noted that its core business activities, namely research and development, manufacturing, logistics and distribution, sales and marketing as well as its Indonesian operations are proceeding as usual and are not affected by the current situation.

“Certain action plans have also been agreed upon by both parties, including more proactive engagements in addressing operational issues with regards to the medicine and non-medicine supplies to the government and private healthcare facilities.

“Both parties will also work closer towards creating a more consistent and predictable ecosystem that encourages stable operations,” it added.

The meeting was attended by PhAMA’s board members Ariffin Yusuf and Louis-George Lasonnery, executive director Chan Li Jin, and representatives from Zuellig Pharma, Roche Malaysia, Lundbeck Malaysia, Novartis Malaysia, Sanofi Malaysia, DKSH Holdings Malaysia and Novo Nordisk Malaysia, among others.

Meanwhile, Pharmaniaga was represented by deputy CEO Zulkifli Jafar and commercial director Zulhazri Razali.