The Malaysian government has extended its insulin supply contract with India’s Biocon Biologics for an additional six months, from April 29 to October 28. The original 36-month contract, which began in 2022 and was set to expire in April 2025, was between the Ministry of Health (MOH), Biocon’s Malaysian subsidiary Biocon Sdn Bhd, and Duopharma Marketing Sdn Bhd (DMktg). Biocon Biologics has been the Ministry of Health’s partner of choice for insulin requirements for nearly 10 years, manufacturing a range of recombinant human insulin products at its facility in Johor, Malaysia.
The company’s insulin products are distributed in Malaysia through its commercial partner DMktg. Biocon Biologics is committed to providing affordable access to life-saving insulins to people with diabetes in Malaysia and globally. The company’s facility in Malaysia not only supplies the domestic market but also exports insulin to the global market. The facility has received approvals from several regulatory agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
In 2022, the company faced criticism from the Health Minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, who blamed Biocon for failing to meet its contractual obligations, resulting in an unprecedented insulin shortage. However, the company has continued to work with the Ministry of Health to ensure a stable supply of insulin to patients in Malaysia. The extension of the contract is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible insulin to those who need it. With its state-of-the-art facility in Johor, Biocon Biologics is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for insulin in Malaysia and globally.
The company’s commitment to affordable access to insulin is critical, given the growing prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia. According to the International Diabetes Federation, Malaysia has one of the highest prevalence rates of diabetes in the world, with over 3.5 million people living with the condition. Biocon Biologics’ efforts to provide affordable insulin will help to improve healthcare outcomes for these individuals and reduce the burden of diabetes on the healthcare system. Overall, the extension of the contract between the Malaysian government and Biocon Biologics is a positive development for patients with diabetes in Malaysia and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare solutions.