South East Asian Health News

MALAYSIA 

Gold Coin Malaysia Bhd confirmed that its subsidiary company, Zuellig Pharma Sdn Bhd, has signed an MOU with Pfizer, the US pharmaceutical company.  Zuellig Pharma is now the sole distributor in Malaysia for all Pfizer pharmaceutical products, including Viagra.  Pfizer believes that annual sales of the impotence drug in Malaysia could reach RM1bn (US$250m).  (July 21^st 1998) 

The Government is reviewing the idea of a national healthcare financing scheme. Malaysia’s healthcare costs are an estimated 3% of the GDP and are slated to increase.  Currently 75% of Malaysian healthcare is state provided. With the installation of a national program, healthcare costs could be capped at 5% of the GDP. (June 23^rd 1998) 

The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 will allow the Health Minister to determine the fee schedules of private clinics and hospitals.  The newly passed act is an attempt to make hospital care more affordable and also to close the gap between the public and private sector.  Tentatively there will be three or four ranks in the rating system, based on facility size, specialized services, staff size and the number of patients. (June 24^th 1998) 

TDM Bhd, an agriculture based Malaysian company, has announced its plans to expand further in the healthcare sector.  The company has invested in several specialty hospitals, the first of which, located in Kuantan, was opened last year.  A second hospital, located in Kelana Jaya, is scheduled to open August 1998.  TDM is beginning to franchise clinics and has plans to start an air ambulance service targeted at the expatriate market.  (June 30^th 1998) 

Tongkah Moulding Technologies Sdn Bhd (TMT), a subsidiary of Tongkah Holdings Bhd (THB), has signed an exclusive agreement to manufacture medical sharp collectors for Becton Dickson & Co (BD).  THB will produce the collectors at its Penang plant.  Medical sharp collectors hold used sharp devices such as syringes, surgical blades and needles for disposal to ensure safety.  The collectors will be supplied to all Becton Dickson markets across Asia Pacific.  (July 25^th 1998)