
Pharmacists: Price display a win for public well-being
Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) president Prof Amrahi Buang said the move will enable Malaysians to make more informed decisions about medications based on their financial means.
He said it reflects the government's commitment to public well-being by promoting greater transparency within the national healthcare system.
'MPS views it as part of the government's initiative to educate and empower consumers, particularly regarding their right to know medicine prices and to choose where to obtain their medications, whether from clinics or pharmacies.
'This is a very positive step as it empowers consumers to make smarter and more affordable choices, which will ultimately benefit society as a whole.
'It will also help raise public awareness and improve health literacy related to medication pricing,' he told Bernama.
Amrahi said the operations of community pharmacies are already outlined under the Community Pharmacy Benchmarking Guidelines and that the practice of price display has long been in place for many products listed under the new Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) order.
He said while pharmacy chains may not face significant challenges, smaller independent community pharmacies may encounter some initial difficulties.
'However, with clear briefings through engagement sessions and a comprehensive FAQ document, the implementation of this order can proceed smoothly,' he added.
Amrahi also said the MPS held a town hall session on April 27 to allow private pharmacies to seek further clarification from the Health Ministry.
In discussing the importance of pharmacies in the successful implementation of this policy, he emphasised that community pharmacies must remain vigilant and attentive to patients' rights.
'As service providers, community pharmacies must understand and meet the needs and rights of patients. This is in line with the 2018 Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, which prioritises patient and consumer welfare.'
He also welcomed the government's decision to allow a three-month grace period for the implementation of the order, saying it gives small-scale pharmacies sufficient time to enhance their operations in line with the new order.
'MPS will also run a countdown via our communication channels to remind members of the order's enforcement timeline,' he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
‘Fill healthcare vacancies quickly'
Fahmi: 'Appointment of Auditor-General does not contravene Federal Constitution.' — Bernama PUTRAJAYA: Cut the red tape and quickly fill the over 4,000 vacancies at public health facilities, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. This was the message from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the Health Ministry (MOH) at the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday, Fahmi said. 'The Prime Minister has requested that the bureaucratic process, which is seen as possibly causing this delay, be expedited, given that MOH had originally expected most or all of the positions to only be filled by November. 'But the Prime Minister believes this is too late. So the process will be sped up,' Fahmi, who is the unity government's spokesperson, told reporters, Bernama reported. On July 23, Anwar said the government will quickly fill up 4,352 vacancies in public clinics and hospitals, including appointing contract doctors. At the Cabinet meeting, Fahmi said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad gave a commitment to shorten the time needed to fill the posts without compromising on procedures. On another matter, Fahmi said the appointment of Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi as Auditor-General is lawful and does not contravene the Federal Constitution. This was confirmed by Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar who was present at the Cabinet meeting. 'From a constitutional perspective, there is no issue. 'The appointment aligns with what is clearly stated in the Federal Constitution,' added Fahmi. He said the KSN also clarified that Wan Suraya had ceased to be a civil servant at the time she agreed to take on the role of Auditor-General. 'This means there is no issue of her being an active civil servant at the time of her appointment,' he said, noting that the Public Service Department is expected to issue an official statement soon to provide further clarification. The clarification comes amid recent claims by several quarters alleging that Wan Suraya's appointment as Auditor-General was unconstitutional. Critics argued that the role should be held by someone who has already retired or formally resigned from the civil service, to preserve the independence of the office from the executive branch.


The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Promoting baby-friendly private hospitals
SEREMBAN: The Health Ministry, through the National Lactation Centre, has launched the Madani private hospital Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 2025 to promote breastfeeding and reduce the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Its deputy minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang said partnership between the public and private sectors to implement the initiative and support nursing mothers with confidence and respect was a shared responsibility. 'The core objectives of this tour, which is in line with the National Nutrition Policy, include expanding BFHI promotion, ensuring more private hospitals join the movement of nursing mothers, strengthening community support so that nursing mothers do not feel isolated and can confidently nurse their children,' he said at the launch of the initiative here yesterday, Bernama reported. Such inclusive efforts would ensure the health of both mother and child, and allow more Malaysians to support breastfeeding, he said, adding that 31 private hospitals are participating in the initiative. 'Currently, 31 out of 180 private hospitals have been accredited as BFHI. Congratulations to 20 KPJ Healthcare hospitals for being the hospital consortium with the most accredited hospitals,' he said. Lukanisman said there are 15 hospitals being in the final stage of training by the National Lactation Centre together with the state Health Department to receive BFHI accreditation while 65 hospitals are in the process of initial training.


New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Pharmacists' group declares war on tobacco, vape products
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has issued a strong declaration against the use of tobacco and vape products, reaffirming its commitment to a smoke-free and vape-free Malaysia. The declaration, adopted at the National Pharmacists Convention 2025 in Putrajaya today, outlines a six-point stand opposing the promotion, normalisation, and use of all forms of nicotine products, particularly among youth. MPS president Professor Amrahi Buang said that in light of aggressive marketing targeting adolescents and health risks, the declaration reflects pharmacists' ethical responsibility to protect public health. "This is a call to action for a healthier Malaysia. Pharmacists stand united in rejecting all forms of nicotine harm and industry interference. This declaration also supports tobacco endgame policies such as the Generational Endgame (GEG) and calls for full enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for the Public Health Act," he said in a statement today. He also praised the principled stance of His Majesty Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who recently called for a national vape ban. Amrahi said the declaration reinforces pharmacists' zero-tolerance stance on tobacco and vape-related harm and calls for flavour bans, stricter age enforcement, and widespread public education. It also warns against industry narratives framing vape as a 'safer' option. "The MPS today outlined five key action areas: public education, early intervention, policy advocacy, community engagement, and surveillance. Pharmacists are not just dispensers of medication, we are community protectors," he added.