LETTER | The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) expresses its deep disappointment over the government’s decision to proceed with the implementation of medicine price display giving a day’s notice from the date of gazettement without answering the queries and reservations repeatedly brought up by all medical associations with regards to the use of Act 723 on the medical profession, the manner of price display, and enforcement.

These valid questions concerning the new policy should be answered prior to any decision-making.

It should be noted that the long-standing issue of private general practitioner (GP) consultation fees (7th fee schedule), which has remained stagnant for 33 years, still hasn’t been addressed.

During the “advocacy” meeting on price transparency held in February this year, in the presence of hundreds of attendees, the health minister clearly stated that medicine price displays for private GP clinics would only be implemented after the long-overdue revision of private GP consultation fees is done.

Unfortunately and sadly, this commitment has not been honoured.

We also wish to highlight that the minister said he would meet with MMA and others to address our concerns regarding the implementation of medicine price displays, but no such meeting has taken place.

Furthermore, MMA had officially written to the domestic trade and cost of living minister requesting a meeting to discuss the implications of this move. Regrettably, we have yet to receive any response from the ministry.

Doctors have waited patiently and engaged in good faith, but the government’s decision to proceed unilaterally with the implementation of medicine price display without engaging and answering the valid concerns of the medical fraternity is both disappointing and concerning.

General practitioners across the country have every reason to feel frustrated and angry, as this unilateral imposition of extended powers of a non-medical Act (Act 723) and new policy to be enforced only adds to the already excessive regulation of the profession.

In view of these unresolved issues, the MMA strongly urges the government to halt any requirement for medicine price display at private clinics.

This will allow for proper engagement and resolution of the concerns raised, including the need for a long-overdue revision of private GP consultation fees and engagement on the mechanism and scope of the medicine price display policy.

KALWINDER SINGH KHAIRA is the president of the Malaysian Medical Association.

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