Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced the allocation of RM21 million, sourced from excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), for the procurement of Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which are set to benefit 49,128 patients, as reported in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the excise duty collected from SSBs amounted to RM54.9 million from January to August this year, compared with RM68.6 million in 2024. The focus on SGLT2 inhibitors is due to their efficacy in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, reducing complications from chronic kidney disease (CKD), and providing cardiovascular protection. Dr Dzulkefly highlighted that these medications lower the risk of hospitalisation from heart failure and cardiovascular-related deaths, preserve kidney function by slowing CKD progression, and assist in controlling blood pressure and body weight.

This announcement was made in response to an inquiry from Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) regarding the total excise duty collected from SSBs this year and the funds allocated for SGLT2 inhibitor medications and the MOH's peritoneal dialysis programme, as outlined in Budget 2025. Dr Dzulkefly explained that the excise duty on SSBs was implemented on July 1, 2019, at a rate of 40 sen per litre, based on the sugar content threshold. The rate increased to 50 sen per litre on January 1, 2024, and further to 90 sen per litre starting January 1 this year.

In terms of peritoneal dialysis treatment, Dr Dzulkefly mentioned that the ministry allocated RM40 million for this purpose in the current year, with 42 per cent of patients receiving treatment at MOH facilities, an increase from 36 per cent in 2020.