The Health Ministry (MOH) will introduce a next-generation drug to assist diabetes and obesity patients among the vulnerable groups under Budget 2026.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the introduction of the new drug followed continuous reviews of the MOH Medicines Formulary, ensuring that only medicines that are safe, effective and cost-efficient are made available.
“We are introducing newer medicines such as semaglutide specifically for vulnerable groups facing health challenges related to diabetes and obesity,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 27.
Dr Dzulkefly was responding to Kuala Pilah MP Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan, who asked about the ministry’s efforts to expand access to essential medicines for chronic disease patients.
He assured that generic medicines approved by MOH undergo rigorous bioequivalence and pharmacoeconomic assessments, guaranteeing equal efficacy and safety compared to branded options.
To improve healthcare access, MOH has also ramped up virtual consultations, recording nearly 164,000 sessions by July 2025.
Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry is adopting behavioural insights and “nudge” approaches in public health campaigns to encourage Malaysians toward healthier lifestyles.
“Flagship initiatives under the ministry include the ‘Perang Atas Gula’ campaign through NutriHub, which promotes healthier food choices in supermarkets; the Malaysian Healthy Plate (suku-suku separuh) programme, which is continually updated to guide balanced eating and the implementation of higher excise duties on cigarettes and alcohol from Nov 1, 2025, under Budget 2026.
“Our goal is clear, which is to make quality healthcare accessible to all and to build a nation that is not only healthier but more resilient,” Dr Dzulkefly said.
