Medicine price display rule to stay

The Star

2 days ago

PETALING JAYA: The enforcement of the medicine price display requirement under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 will continue in stages through a process of education, inspections, and advocacy until Sept 30.
The Health Ministry said in a statement that warning letters may be issued for non-compliance, followed by the issuance of compounds from Oct 1.
Full enforcement is scheduled to begin on Jan 1 next year.
The medicine price display initiative, which applies to private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies, was first implemented on May 1.
'This initiative is a strategic collaboration between the Health Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
'An educational enforcement approach was adopted for the first three months, ending July 31.
'During this period, 842 facilities, including medical and dental clinics, private hospitals, and community pharmacies, were inspected, with 57% found to be satisfactorily complying with the price display requirement,' the ministry said yesterday.
Both ministries also acknowledged that a judicial review had been filed in the High Court by seven organisations representing medical and dental practitioners, as well as one private medical practitioner, to challenge the validity of the directive.
However, the ministry clarified that no court order has been issued to suspend the implementation or enforcement of the ruling.
Former Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia presi­dent Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said most clinics are not in favour of the rule but have complied regardless.
He argued that the directive is misplaced, as private clinics do not operate like pharmacies and do not display or sell medicines over the counter.
'Unlike pharmacies that sell medicines, our permits allow us to dispense medication only after consultation, examination and investigations.
'Customers rarely come just to buy medicine and the drugs are not displayed on shelves.
'When we introduce laws, they must make sense.
'This rule seems more like a feel-good measure to reassure the public. But in reality, it serves no purpose,' he said.
On the question of compliance, Dr Raj said clinics are ready for full enforcement and have nothing to hide.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malay­sia secretary Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said the association understands the enforcement is still in its educational phase until the end of September and that compounds are unlikely during this period.
He said members have been advised to cooperate during inspections and continue engaging in good faith.
'We've filed a judicial review, so we'll refrain from making detailed comments while the matter is before the court.
'If any clinic experiences overzealous or premature enforcement, we encourage them to inform the federation's secretariat so we can monitor and respond accordingly,' he said.
The directive, effective from May 1, requires all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies to display prices of all medicines intended for human use.
This includes prescription and non-prescription drugs, over the counter products, traditional medicines, health supplements, and extemporaneously prepared products.