Sufficient COVID vaccine syringes for Malaysia, good opportunity for exporters, say suppliers

By Nurul Hanis Izmir

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 -- Local syringe suppliers do not see the need for Malaysia to do panic buying for the medical device as the local production is currently sufficient in supporting the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) as well as administering booster shots.

Tree Med Sdn Bhd managing director Khairul Anuar Danial said Malaysia has enough supply with three local manufacturers.

“The projected shortage is primarily in the United States due to its requirement for the product to be approved with a 510(k) clearance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Since the US and Europe are not buying from China, and many of the manufacturers are from China, that is when the shortage occurs,” he told Bernama.

A 510(k) is a premarket submission made to the FDA to demonstrate that the device to be marketed is as safe and effective, that is, substantially equivalent, to a legally marketed device that is not subject to premarket approval.

Yesterday, the World Health Organisation warned of a shortage of between one and two billion COVID-19 vaccine syringes in 2022, while cautioned that it could impact routine immunisations and undermine needle safety.

Khairul Anuar said now would be the best time for the local companies to pitch for the export market.

“The most important aspect is to apply and comply with the FDA requirement and immediately the market is wide open,” he stressed.

Tree Med has been serving the healthcare market since 2002 and it intends to acquire Bisco (M) Sdn Bhd, a company that produces about 20 million pieces of syringes per year.

Meanwhile, Selia-Tek Holdings Sdn Bhd general manager Mohd Khairi Mat Isa said there was no need for panic buying for the medical device.

“The Ministry of Health has prepared its requirement in advance so I don’t think there is an issue of Malaysia facing a syringe shortage,” he said.

Nine-five per cent or over 22.2 million of Malaysia’s adult population have completed their COVID-19 vaccination as of Nov 9, 2021, according to the Ministry of Health.

Selia-Tek, which produces syringes for the local market, is eyeing to penetrate the Southeast Asia market via its collaboration with Pfizer Inc.

Mohd Khairi said the company is currently at a discussion level with the American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation to supply syringes to be marketed along with the Pfizer vaccine.

“Most probably, we will sign the agreement with them next year,” he expressed hope.

Besides that, Selia-Tek is also looking at supplying its product to Pharmaniaga Bhd, which plans to expand its Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Southeast Asia and African markets.

The pandemic has resulted in the company ramping up its production capacity, where it now produces up to seven million pieces of syringes on a monthly basis from one million pre-pandemic.

Selia-Tek has allocated some RM1.4 million investment to buy more machines for its plant, and is ready to invest more shall there be a request to increase the volume.

-- BERNAMA