Sabah docs back protest
Published on: Thu, May 08, 2025
By: David Thien Text Size: GP doctors protesting in Putrajaya on Tuesday. Kota Kinabalu: Some private medical practitioners here threw in their support for fellow GPs who took time off to stage a protest for the first time, Tuesday, against gazetting the drug price display order under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723). Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS) President Dr Devadas Ramankutty was among those who signed the petition. The ruling that came into effect May 1, put them in the same class of product retailers and expose them to checks by Domestic Trade and Cost enforcement officers. 'While the medical associations fully support the principle of transparency in medicine pricing, we strongly object to how the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025 is being enforced on private clinics under Act 723 without consultation and engagement with the affected medical fraternity, especially GPs,' 11 medical groups said in a joint memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister's Office. Some of the placards compared the price of fish (RM16/kg) and chicken (RM10.30) to the 'priceless' value of getting cured of illness, as well as the 80 per cent rise in the price of a packet of nasi lemak since 2011 compared to GPs' consultation fees that have stagnated for 33 years at a maximum RM35. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article.
Support Independant Journalism
Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper
Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News
Exclusive News Invites to special events
Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards
1-Year Most Popular
(Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Mother, son die after suspected food poisoning at wedding
Published on: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Police conducting investigations at the victims' home. TAWAU: A woman and her nine-year-old son died, believed to be from suspected food poisoning, after attending a wedding reception at a residential area in Batu 4, Jalan Apas here last Saturday. The victims, Nazuah Pili, 36, and Mohd Amran Masran, fell unconscious after suffering prolonged diarrhoea and vomiting upon returning home at around 11am. Tawau acting district police chief Superintendent Champin Piuh said the case was reported by a 24-year-old niece of the victim, who requested that an investigation into the deaths be opened. Initial questioning of the complainant and the victim's husband revealed the mother and son had brought back a food package from the reception, which the husband also consumed. The husband reportedly experienced similar symptoms from Sunday morning until Monday evening, while initial information suggested other guests also suffered similar ailments after attending the event. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
RM1.05 mil approved for Sandakan Hospital upgrades
Published on: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 12, 2025 By: Mardinah Jikur Text Size: Dzulkefly (fourth right) with Sandakan MP Vivian Wong (fourth left) and HDOK staffers pose for a group photo. - Mardinah Jikur/Daily Express Malaysia SANDAKAN: The Health Ministry has approved RM1.055 million for minor works and upgrades at the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK), here, covering needs for its operating theatre, as well as medical and non-medical assets. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said the urgent allocation includes adding chairs in waiting areas, replacing mattresses and pillows, and upgrading the operating theatre. Advertisement He also announced plans to build a new block with 594 beds, and to upgrade local health clinics to help ease congestion at HDOK. During his working visit, Dzulkefly inspected wards in the hospital's old building, which dates back to 1952, and visited the Karamunting Rural Clinic and Kinabatangan Hospital. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Compliance of drug price display rule at 55%, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Checks during the first three months of enforcing drug price transparency showed that 55% of 1,639 private healthcare facilities nationwide complied satisfactorily, says Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni. The remaining 45% had incomplete or inaccessible price displays, he added. ALSO READ: Drug price display order gazetted, to come into effect May 1 "These findings indicate the need for continued monitoring, guidance sessions and phased enforcement for non-compliant premises," he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 12). To ensure greater transparency and fairness in private healthcare pharmacy services, Lukanisman said the Health Ministry plans to conduct a comprehensive evaluation from September. "This aims to assess the impact of the drug pricing policy and guide improvements in the system. "It will inform (these) improvements to ensure transparency and fairness in private healthcare pharmacy services," he added. ALSO READ: Medicine price display rule to proceed on Aug 1, says Health Minister The display of drug prices, which came into effect on May 1 under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Marking of Prices for Drugs) Order 2025, is part of the government's efforts to enhance public access to drug price information. This initiative seeks to ensure competitive pricing and informed consumer choices. From Aug 1, the ministry began inspections and monitoring, issuing warnings for non-compliance, with full enforcement and fines scheduled to commence on Jan 1. The phased approach aims to give private healthcare providers, including clinics, hospitals and community pharmacies, time to adjust and comply with the new regulations. The initiative faced some resistance from non-governmental organisations and medical associations, particularly concerning the regulation of consultation fees, which have not been reviewed for 30 years. ALSO READ: Medicine price display rule to stay However, Lukanisman noted that the ministry remains committed to inclusive engagement with stakeholders, including the Malaysian Medical Association, to address these issues and ensure a balanced approach to healthcare regulation. Addressing concerns raised by Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) about rising medical costs, Lukanisman highlighted the ministry's ongoing efforts to implement interim Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) systems in private facilities by 2027. "The DRG data will guide private facilities in setting reasonable prices, although it won't regulate profit margins," he said. DRG systems classify hospital cases with similar clinical characteristics and resource usage, allowing for a standardised payment system based on the diagnosis and treatment provided.
