Price Control Act

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) assures that the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) will not disrupt the operations of general practitioners (GP) in the private sector but will promote transparency and affordability in healthcare.

MOH said the law is part of a broader initiative to establish a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system.

“The health ministry remains committed to an open and inclusive approach.

“Engagement sessions with all stakeholders have been held and will continue to ensure balanced implementation that does not unduly burden any party,” said the ministry as reported by Bernama.

The clarification followed after more than 300 GPs in black protested peacefully near the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya yesterday for two hours and culminated in the submission of a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s senior private secretary Aznur Hafeez Kaswuri.

The doctors are opposing the enforcement of the Act upon the medical profession and propose that the regulation of medical practice remain under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.

Representatives from several professional medical associations participated in the demonstration, which included the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia, the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia and the Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners’ Association.

The GPs said the Act equates the healthcare sector to a “grocery shop.”

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president-elect Datuk Dr R Thirunavukarasu (picture) explained that while they are not against the government’s proposal to display medicine prices and actually support transparency, they are disappointed that the government seems to be viewing the provision of professional medical services as equivalent to the retail sale of goods.

“GPs provide medical and professional services to the public. To open a private clinic requires over 10 years of experience and expertise, A-Levels or equivalent high-level education, five years in medical college, and several years of service as a medical doctor.

“Nowadays, anyone can open a grocery store. So you can’t equate the medical profession with being a shopkeeper,” he said in a press conference after submitting a memorandum to the PMO.

Dr Thirunavukarasu argues that the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998,is sufficient, as it supports transparency and allows consumers to know medicine prices as well as health ministers to enforce changes

MOH stated that it is willing to review the memorandum and consider policy improvements based on evidence and data, while emphasising that ensuring public access to affordable medicine is a primary concern.

The drug price display order, enforced on May 1 under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025 through a collaboration between the health and domestic trade and cost of living ministries, is already in effect. — TMR