Govt weighs MMA proposal on medicine displays
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is contemplating a proposal from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) on the implementation of a rule for displaying medicine prices under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), says Minister Datuk Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The proposal, which was included in a memorandum submitted by the MMA, has garnered the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has advised the ministry to conduct a thorough study and evaluation of the proposal.
'The Prime Minister has asked me to carefully review their memorandum, and I have taken this matter seriously.
'I have directed the top leadership of the ministry to look into how we can address the request fairly and consider the feasibility of placing the medicine price display requirement under Act 586, which falls under the ministry's purview,' Dzulkefly told a press conference after attending the 2025 National Midwives and Nurses Day celebration here.
He said the ministry is responsive and welcomes constructive suggestions aimed at strengthening the healthcare system.
Last Tuesday, MMA urged the government to reassess the application of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) within the medical sector.
This request pertains to the recent regulation that mandates private clinics and pharmacies display the prices of medicines, which began this month.
In its memorandum, the MMA expressed its full support for transparency in drug pricing; however, it recommended that this transparency be implemented through Act 586.
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