Doctors’ groups oppose using non-medical Act for drug price display
Eight doctors’ associations have voiced opposition towards the government’s plan to use the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) to enforce the mandatory display of medicine prices.
The groups maintained that they were supportive of transparency regarding medicine prices, but said this should be implemented under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) instead.
They said the manner of price displays being asked of private health facilities is burdensome and does not align with the expectations of patients, describing the use of Act 723 as overreaching.
“The notion that private facilities are against price transparency is incorrect and misleading,” they said in a joint statement today.
“Patients have always had the right to know the prices charged for medications, and to request for a prescription to obtain medicine elsewhere if they feel the prices charged at the clinic are high.
“However, the implementation and enforcement must be fair and practical. Medicine price display requirements should not impose excessive administrative burdens that disrupt patient care.
“Regular monitoring and updating of medicine prices will increase operational costs and require additional manpower, which could affect service efficiency.”
The groups reiterated that private healthcare facilities were not retail businesses and should not be governed by any non-medical law or authority.
They pointed out that the health minister had the authority to introduce new rules under Act 596 if deemed necessary to enhance the rights of patients.
“All provisions regulating the private healthcare sector should come under one Act, especially when such an Act exists and is in force.
“All matters concerning medical practice should come under the sole authority of its rightful ministry, which is the health ministry.
“We call on the government to review this policy decision. Such a policy should only be implemented after engagement with all stakeholders,” they said.
The statement was signed by the Malaysian Medical Association, the Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia, the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia, the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia, the Organisation of Malaysian Muslim Doctors, the Malaysian Association of Advancement of Functional and Interdisciplinary Medicine, the Association of Private Practitioners Sabah, and the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak.
Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali previously said the directive was not intended to regulate prices, but to provide the public with access to information on available medicines.
He said this would allow the public to compare costs at healthcare premises and plan their medical expenses accordingly.
Category: MJN enews
