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 wha...