Failure of the adrenal glands lead to primary adrenal insufficiency.A standardised steroid card is now available after years of effort by a team of endocrinologists and pharmacists from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The main goals of the steroid card include standardisation of care across hospitals for patients with adrenal insufficiency on steroid replacement therapy, delivery of effective education to healthcare providers, junior doctors and patients, improvement of clinical outcomes and patient safety, and support for data collection and research. Education and clear guidance were seen as essential to reduce complications, especially adrenal crises, said Dr See Chee Keong, President of the Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS) at the MEMS Annual Congress 2026 (MAC 16) recently.
Work on the steroid card began through MOH’s Endocrinology Subspecialty Service. Initial planning started in 2023, followed by design development in 2024, including preparation of a sick day rule template. In 2025, collaboration with MOH pharmacists became necessary, leading to extensive discussions on implementation across hospitals. By 2026, the steroid card was finalised after 3 years of work.
The distribution process involves specialists and medical officers completing the application form, the pharmacy dispensing the card, and patients receiving education on steroid use and sick day rules. The card contains essential patient information and adrenal crisis treatment guidance. A bilingual sick day rule pamphlet in English and Bahasa Melayu is available on the MEMS website. [https://tinyurl.com/y6athb78]
Future plans surrounding the steroid card include roadshows, education programmes, research expansion, database development, and adrenal insufficiency masterclass workshops nationwide, said See.