Foreign nationals face restrictions in drug prescriptions following a circular by the Health Ministry asking its hospitals and clinics to impose a limit from March 1 this year.

 

The circular issued by Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah stated that for foreigners who are given outpatient treatment, they are not allowed to obtain medication from hospital pharmacies after five days of outpatient treatment.

 

Instead, they would have to buy their medicines from private pharmacies.

 

In the circular, Noor Hisham said that statistics showed that a growing number of foreign nationals were seeking treatment at government hospitals and thus this would lead to a rise in medical costs.

 

“Thus, internal control is needed,” the circular said.

 

Five-day limit

 

A medical staff member from a government hospital confirmed the authenticity of the letter, and said that its pharmacy has begun implementing the order.

 

Any foreigner who is warded in the hospital would also receive medication for five days after being discharged, and he or she would have to purchase medicine from private pharmacies after that.

 

Charges for medicines at government pharmacies are relatively cheaper than at private pharmacies.

 

Malaysian nationals are allowed to receive their medicines from government pharmacies for several months, depending on their condition.

 

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) meanwhile said that they are not aware of the circular.

 

Malaysia has more than one million foreign workers, especially from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar.