The government has been urged to zero rate all scheduled medicines under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) instead of doing so selectively, to ensure fairness.

The present system, said DAP's Sibu MP Oscar Ling ( left ), will result in huge disparity in medicine prices in government and private pharmacies.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, he said pharmacists will have confusion sorting out zero-rated rated medicines and non zero rated medicines in pharmacies.

"The government grants zero rate for all the items listed in the national essential medicines list 4th edition.

"But it only covers less than 13 percent of all medicines. 87 percent majority essential medicines still incur 6 percent GST," he said.

Ling said that due to the running costs at all levels, the price of medicine in the private sector could increase by more than 10 percent.

"Everyone will be then flocking to the hospitals and the waiting time in hospitals will double up," he said.

"In fact, the costs for running hospitals can also increase," he added.