MMA questions legal basis of mandatory medicine price display order

 

Beginning this year, private healthcare facilities must display medicine prices to enhance transparency and prevent arbitrary price hikes. (Freepik pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has questioned the legal basis of enforcing a directive on the mandatory display of medicine prices under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723).

MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said private general practitioners (GPs) should only be regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA) 1998 and not subjected to enforcement under a separate law meant for general price control.

“The PHFSA is and should remain the only basis of regulation of medical practice,” he said in a statement today.

“MMA requests that all the questions and queries on the legality of Act 723 that were brought up by MMA and others at the engagement (session) be clearly and thoroughly looked into before any decision is made on the gazettement, implementation and enforcement of the provisions of Act 723 to the private healthcare sector.”

The statement comes after concerns were raised by GPs over the directive, which reportedly also requires clinics to display medicine prices.

Previously, MMA had called for the postponement of mandatory price displays until the outdated GP consultation fees and unregulated sale of prescription drugs were resolved.

In today’s statement, Kalwinder said the move could lead to misunderstandings about healthcare costs and disrupt doctor-patient relationships.

He also said that during a stakeholder engagement session on Feb 27, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad had assured that the medicine price display for GPs would not be enforced until the new private GP consultation fees were reviewed and gazetted.

“We urge all parties to engage in a constructive dialogue to find a balanced solution that ensures transparency in healthcare while maintaining quality medical services.

“We urge the authorities to listen to the voice and concerns of GPs and work towards policies that benefit both healthcare providers and the public,” he added. - FMT