Why Do Private Hospitals in Malaysia Seem to Avoid Some Generic Meds?

Here’s What I’ve Noticed...

There’s something you might not think about – not all medicines get an equal chance in private hospitals here in Malaysia. As someone in the industry, I can’t tell you how often I see perfectly good, cost-effective generics getting sidelined.

Why?

Because they’re not on a certain list. It’s one of those quirks that make my job both challenging and, honestly, kind of fascinating.

Related reading: What is generic meds?

What’s the Deal with the Non-APPL Generics?

I’ll let you in on a little industry insight:

If a medicine isn’t on what we call the ‘Approved Product Purchase List’ (APPL), private hospitals are often less interested in stocking it. This means that even if a generic is affordable and effective, it faces a big uphill battle getting a spot on their shelves.

SIDENOTE: The Approved Product Purchase List (APPL) might sound like a fancy term, but it’s actually pretty simple – think of it like an exclusive menu of medicines that hospitals can officially buy. For government hospitals, having a medicine on the APPL is almost a requirement before they can even consider stocking it. It’s a system meant to ensure that only vetted, reliable products make their way into the government healthcare system, which is fair enough. But for those of us in pharma sales, this list has some real consequences.

When a product – especially a generic – isn’t on the APPL, it faces a tough road ahead in private hospitals, too. Why? Because many private hospitals use the APPL as a trusted benchmark. Even though they technically don’t have to follow it as strictly as government hospitals do, there’s a kind of “if it’s not on the APPL, should we really trust it?” mindset. This makes it challenging for generic medicines that don’t make the list to get their foot in the door.

What’s tricky is that getting on the APPL isn’t a quick or easy process. It involves regulatory approval, clinical trials, and usually, a long waiting period. Sometimes, even good-quality generics that meet all the necessary standards can be left off the list for years. And in the meantime, private hospitals often stick to familiar, APPL-listed brands, leaving generics in the shadows.

For patients, this means fewer affordable choices. For those of us in the industry, it’s a reminder of how much influence the APPL has, even beyond its original purpose.

Why This Matters (At Least to Me)

From a sales perspective, it’s like trying to convince a picky diner to order something that’s not on the menu. Private hospitals like to stick with what’s approved and familiar – which, sure, is safe. But sometimes, it means patients don’t get access to the same range of cost-effective options they’d find in a government hospital. It’s frustrating, but it’s also just part of the game we play.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Getting a generic med into private hospitals is about more than just having a good product. It’s about navigating a whole system of trust, familiarity, and, frankly, preference for the ‘brand names’ already on the list. This is just one of those realities that shape how medicines get to patients – whether it makes sense or not.

Final Thought

Next time you wonder why you don’t see more affordable options in private hospitals, you’ll know – it’s not just about the price or the quality. Sometimes, it’s about tradition, red tape, and a little thing called the APPL.

Disclaimer: This post is just me sharing my own thoughts and experiences from working in the pharmaceutical sales industry. It’s not official advice or a statement from any organization. Just a bit of my own perspective on what goes on behind the scenes.