MMA calls for engagement on disputed use of price control act to display prices
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for an engagement with the Health Ministry and other stakeholders before tabling working papers on the controversial use of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to compel private clinics to display prices of medicines and consultation fees.
MMA president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said constructive dialogue with the ministry was essential to fully understand the requests outlined in the memorandum, which was submitted by MMA and 10 other associations to the Prime Minister's Office on May 6, rather than conducting a unilateral review that lacked input from the medical profession.
In a statement today, Dr Kalwinder said the association thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for acknowledging and promptly acting in response to the MAA's memorandum.
He said it was upsetting to see that despite multiple objections by MMA on the use of the Act on private clinics, the false narrative that doctors were against displaying prices had continued to be played up by certain quarters.
"We wish to reiterate once again that doctors are not against price transparency, but strongly oppose the use of the act, which is a non-medical act, against their profession."
He said MMA fully supported the government's medicine price display initiative as it was part of patients' rights.
"However, we ask that it be enforced under the existing Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, which governs medical practice, with regulations and mechanisms under Section 107 of the act that can be made by the health minister for its implementation and enforcement at private clinics."
Dr Kalwinder added that it was always the stand of doctors and clinics to use the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 in implementing the display of prices.
"Doctors only dispense medications which they feel are needed for treatment in strict adherence to the Poisons Act 1952, which applies to them and comes under the purview of the ministry," he said.
Meanwhile, regarding the consultation fee revision, Dr Kalwinder said MMA appreciated the government's provision of a fixed timeframe for its implementation.
"We hope that the revised fee structure will fairly reflect the 33-year stagnation in rates of RM10 to RM35. We hope the new increased rates will also acknowledge the vital contributions of private general practitioners to the health of the population and will be meaningful towards the sustainability of Malaysia's primary healthcare sector in line with the ministry's focus on strengthening primary care in the promotion of health and the prevention of diseases.
"The primary healthcare sector plays an important part in the healthcare of the country and as such, we plead for action on all the contents of the memorandum as we honestly believe that it will have a long-lasting effect on clinics and the country's primary healthcare."
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