Latest news with #GeneralPractitioner
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Health groups seek judicial review on drug price display rule
Medicine price displays at clinics have been mandatory since May 1, although a grace period of three months is in place before the authorities start issuing compounds. (AFP pic) PETALING JAYA : Seven health groups and a general practitioner have applied for leave for judicial review regarding the mandatory drug price displays at private healthcare facilities. The application, filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Thursday, names the domestic trade and cost of living minister, health minister, and government as respondents. The applicants want the rule to be nullified and its enforcement stayed by the court pending the disposal of their judicial review application. They claim that the rule, under Section 10 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (Act 723), was gazetted in excess of the authority of the domestic trade and cost of living minister. They contend that Section 10 of the Act cannot apply to drugs administered by health practitioners, which is provided for by Section 19 of the Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366), health news portal CodeBlue reported. They also argue that clinics operated by registered health practitioners cannot be considered to be supplying 'goods and services' under Section 10 of Act 723. 'The administration of medical and dental treatment by professional men is neither sale of goods nor supply of services within the context of the PCAPA 2011. 'As such, charges for medical treatment, including the dispensing of drugs, are not 'prices of drugs' but part of the fees for professional services,' they said in their application. It was filed by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Association of Private Practitioners Sabah, Malaysian Association for the Advancement of Functional and Interdisciplinary Medicine, Organisation of Malaysian Muslim Doctors, Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia, Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners' Association, Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak, and one Dr Saifulbahri Ahmad. Medicine price displays at clinics have been mandatory since May 1, although a grace period of three months is in place before the authorities start issuing compounds. Under the policy, private healthcare providers are required to clearly display the prices of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, traditional products, and supplements. MMA and other medical groups opposed the policy from the start, saying it should fall under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and be delayed pending a review of general practitioners' consultation fees. The applicants also claimed that domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali did not 'meaningfully consult' the groups on the rule or respond to their objections. They claimed Armizan did not discuss the rule with health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad to understand why it would burden general practitioners. 'The impugned order therefore suffers from procedural impropriety,' they said.
SBS Australia
21-07-2025
- Health
- SBS Australia
Vibha wanted to honour her mother's wish to die voluntarily at home. She found help online
Disclaimer: The opinions in this podcast are general and non-binding. For specific advice, please consult your General Practitioner or health expert. LISTEN TO SBS Hindi 17/07/2025 19:51 Hindi LISTEN TO SBS Hindi 14/07/2025 19:09 Hindi
