Latest news with #NationalHealthTechnologyAssessmentConference2025
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Malaysia says study needed before classifying etomidate as a dangerous drug
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Etomidate is reportedly being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. PUTRAJAYA - A thorough study will be conducted before any decision is made to list etomidate as a dangerous drug under the law, says Malaysia's Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the ministry took heed of the recent proposal to list the substance under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 but would not make a hasty decision without proper evidence. At the moment, etomidate is listed as an intravenous sedative and anaesthesia used in clinical practice. 'It is not an issue as it is already listed under the Poisons Act but not under the Dangerous Drugs Act,' he told reporters at a press conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 on July 30. Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a proposal made by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii to list etomidate as a dangerous drug, following reports of deaths caused by the drug in Singapore. Dr Yii said in Parliament on July 28 that etomidate was being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. He said the misuse of etomidate could result in death due to severe respiratory distress, sudden unconsciousness, injury and adrenal crisis. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Business S'pore's economic resilience will face headwinds in second half of 2025 from tariffs, trade conflicts: MAS Business S'pore's Q2 total employment rises, but infocomm and professional services sectors see more job cuts Singapore Fewer than 1 in 5 people noticed suspicious items during MHA's social experiments Asia Powerful 8.8-magnitude quake in Russia's far east causes tsunami; Japan, Hawaii order evacuations Singapore Migrant workers who gave kickbacks to renew work passes were conservancy workers at AMK Town Council Asia 'Hashing things out': Japan, Vietnam, EU contest terms of US tariff deals behind the scenes Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Dr Yii said Kpods, which often contain etomidate, are targeted at young people. It was reported that Singapore is working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was recently reported to have said that random tests found that one-third out of 100 vape devices seized were found to contain etomidate. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Putrajaya to bolster health technology assessment with new website, AI tools, frameworks
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — Malaysia has launched six new initiatives to embed evidence-based healthcare, expand digital tools, and improve patient-focused services, as part of efforts to strengthen health policy and delivery, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said today. Led by the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS), these initiatives represent a major step forward in embedding evidence-based practices across all levels of the healthcare system. 'These initiatives will not only deepen the use of evidence in clinical and policy settings but also foster cross-sector collaboration and position Malaysia at the forefront of health innovation,' Dzulkefly said in his speech at the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 here. According to Dzulkefly, the six initiatives designed to modernise Malaysia's healthcare evaluation and delivery include: MyMaHTAS website: A redesigned digital platform offering easy access to HTA reports, Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and other tools for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. Guide to Using Real-World Evidence (RWE): Explains how data from electronic medical records and observational studies can complement clinical trials to generate practical, localised health insights. Public Health Intervention Framework: A new tool to support more comprehensive evaluations of public health programmes by factoring in broader elements like equity and societal benefit. MaHTAS Assessment Framework for Digital Health Technology (DHT): Ensures rigorous, locally relevant evaluations of digital innovations such as mobile apps, telehealth platforms, and AI-powered tools. Ask CPG Platform: An AI-powered platform providing clinicians with real-time, point-of-care access to MaHTAS-developed clinical guidelines to support better decision-making. White Paper on Enhancing Medical Device Assessment: Outlines seven strategic actions to align medical device evaluations with value-based healthcare principles. Dzulkefly also said he wanted MaHTAS to evolve into a recognised Centre of Excellence, similar to international counterparts like the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). He noted that NICE was established years after MaHTAS yet is now internationally acknowledged. 'I want Malaysia to move in the same direction,' he said, tasking the ministry's top leadership with driving this effort. 'My role is to provide the vision and direction, while the secretary-General will facilitate and coordinate the necessary implementation processes to realise this aspiration,' he added.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Malaysia already classifies etomidate as Group B poison amid rising misuse concerns in Singapore, says health minister
PUTRAJAYA, July 30 — Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad today clarified that etomidate is already classified under Group B poisons in Malaysia. He explained that any future policy decisions will be made based on evidence rather than public alarm. 'Regarding the side effects of etomidate reported in Singapore, I'm fully aware of the case. The product in question is already listed under Group B poisons in Malaysia. 'It is considered an active substance used in clinical practice. It's not an issue of classification, as it is already categorised appropriately,' he said in a press conference after officiating the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025. Dzulkefly said there is no controversy surrounding etomidate's use or classification in Malaysia. He added that while the government is open to reviewing any proposals concerning the substance, all decisions will be guided by rigorous, evidence-based evaluation rather than isolated incidents. 'I don't wish to comment further on the matter, even in cases involving death and so on; we do not base our decisions on such incidents alone. 'Our decision-making process remains grounded in what is actually substantiated, guided by a rigorous, evidence-based approach. I have no objections to reviewing the matter, but our approach will always prioritise scientific evidence and clinical standards,' he said. On July 20, Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced plans to classify etomidate as a Class C substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, citing growing concern over the rise in vaping products laced with the anaesthetic, CNN reported. He said the trend has alarmed key agencies, including the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs due to its potential health and safety risks. On Friday, The Straits Times reported that Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) confirmed etomidate was found in the blood samples of two individuals involved in a fatal road accident on Punggol Road in May. Police had recovered 42 e-vaporisers and over 1,200 pods from the vehicle, with tests by HSA confirming that some of the products contained the drug.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Govt mulls etomidate reclassification after vape misuse
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will conduct a detailed review before deciding whether to reclassify etomidate as a dangerous drug, following reports of its misuse in illicit vape products. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said while etomidate is currently listed under Category B of the Poisons Act as an intravenous sedative and anaesthetic used in clinical settings, any move to list it under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 must be based on solid evidence. 'It is already controlled under the Poisons Act. The question now is whether it should be listed under the Dangerous Drugs Act, and that decision must go through proper evaluation,' he told reporters after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 yesterday. He said the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS) will play a key role in guiding that process. The issue was recently raised in Parliament by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-DAP), who urged the government to act after Singapore reported cases of etomidate being used in a vape product brand known as K-pods, allegedly targeted at young users. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was reported to have said that one-third of 100 seized vape devices tested positive for etomidate. Singapore is moving to list the substance as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry is also continuing its broader review of vaping laws, including the possibility of a national ban. 'We are studying this seriously, but we will proceed based on evidence and legal considerations,' he said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Study needed before classifying etomidate as a dangerous drug, says Dzulkefly
PUTRAJAYA: A thorough study will be conducted before any decision is made to list etomidate as a dangerous drug under the law, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said that the ministry took heed of the recent proposal to list the substance under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 but would not make a hasty decision without proper evidence. "At the moment, etomidate is listed under Second Part of the Poisons Act under Category B as 'intravenous sedatives and anesthesia' used in clinical practice. "It is not an issue as it is already listed under the Poisons Act but not under the Dangerous Drugs Act, " he told reporters at a press conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference 2025 here on Wednesday (July 30). Dzulkefly was responding to a proposal made by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii to list etomidate as a dangerous drug following reports of deaths caused by the drug in Singapore. Yii said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28) that etomidate was being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. He said the misuse of etomidate could result in death due to severe respiratory distress, sudden unconsciousness, injury and adrenal crisis. Yii said Kpods, which often contain etomidate, are marketed at young people. It was reported that Singapore is working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was recently reported to have said that random tests found that one-third out of 100 vape devices seized were found to contain etomidate.
