Medicine price control proposal to be tabled soon, says Dzulkefly

INTERVIEW | A proposed mechanism to regulate the price of medicines is expected to be tabled in the next parliamentary session, according to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

During a recent joint interview in Putrajaya, Dzulkefly noted that the proposal will be jointly made with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

“The private sector may look upon this uncomfortably, but we have to find a solution that fits all.

“We cannot be selective. It would have to be one solution that can cut across all (stakeholders).

“If the private sector is too costly, public hospitals will become congested,” he said, stressing the need to find a win-win solution for drug prices.

Dzulkefly said the ceiling prices would not be much different from the status quo, because it would be based on benchmarks adopted by Australia, Europe and the US, among others.

Asked whether regulation would result in higher prices, he said drug prices here are already higher than in those countries.

Last November, Dzulkefly told the Dewan Rakyat that his ministry was in the early stages of preparing a proposal paper to implement price controls for medicines.

This would be done under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, which is under the jurisdiction of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

The minister said at the time that the proposed ceiling prices would affect consumers at all dispensaries, which is in line with international best practices.

This would streamline prices, he said, and ensure people have access to affordable medicines.

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