KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Health (MOH) will roll out a new generation drug to support diabetes and obesity patients among vulnerable groups under Budget 2026, as part of efforts to enhance treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said the move comes after continuous evaluations of the MOH Medicines Formulary, which is regularly updated by a panel of experts to ensure that all medicines are safe, effective, and cost-efficient.
“In the Budget, we are also introducing new treatments such as GLP-1, which have been proven effective in helping patients manage diabetes and lose weight. These treatments will be prioritised for vulnerable groups facing health challenges related to diabetes and obesity,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) on the ministry’s efforts to review the National Formulary, ensuring that essential medicines for chronic diseases like diabetes are subsidised, thus making quality treatment accessible to all, regardless of financial means.
Dzulkefly stated that generic medicines approved by the ministry are on par in terms of efficacy and safety, having undergone rigorous bioequivalence testing and pharmacoeconomic assessments.
In response to Adnan’s original question regarding the ministry’s initiatives to reduce the burden of NCDs through an integrated approach, he said that over 1.36 million adults aged 18 and above nationwide have undergone health screenings under the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI) and the PeKa B40 Health Care Scheme as of September 2025, as an early detection measure for NCDs.
Dzulkefly said the MOH is also enhancing primary care services, including virtual consultations, with 163,975 sessions recorded as of July 2025.
Regarding lifestyle changes, he noted that the ministry is expanding the use of behavioural insights and nudging strategies in public health campaigns to promote healthier lifestyles effectively and sustainably.
“Among the key initiatives to combat the four major diseases, namely diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity, is the Perang Atas Gula Campaign (reduce sugar intake) through the introduction of NutriHub. This initiative sets up healthy eating awareness corners in supermarkets to guide consumers in making informed and healthier choices.
“The second initiative is the Malaysian Healthy Plate, ‘suku-suku separuh’ (quarter-quarter-half), a long-standing programme that is continually being updated. In addition, the MOH welcomes Budget 2026’s introduction of higher excise duties on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, effective Nov 1, 2025, as a measure to support the nation’s efforts in preventing NCDs,” he added.
