Requirement to display price of medicines stays, says Dzul

 

Beginning next year, private healthcare facilities must display medication prices to enhance transparency and prevent arbitrary price increases. (Freepik pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The health ministry is not budging from its decision mandating private healthcare facilities to display the price of medicines starting next year.

Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the requirement was aimed at enabling the “public to make informed decisions about which facility to choose”, The Edge reported.

He said the initiative, which had been opposed by some quarters, was part of Putrajaya’s efforts to address rising medical inflation.

“This is not about drug price control,” he was quoted as saying.

Dzulkefly said this in the Dewan Rakyat when winding-up his speech for the Supply Bill 2025.

Last week, it was reported that the requirement to display the price of medicines in private healthcare facilities was an initiative under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

Dzulkefly had said at the time that the policy would also help verify medication charges in insurance claims and prevent arbitrary increases in medication costs.

The move, however, was criticised by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM).

MMA argued that the requirement could impose significant administrative burdens and affect general practitioners while FPMPAM said it would increase cost. - FMT