Medicines cheaper at pharmacies than clinics, patients report
KUALA LUMPUR: The price of medicines at community pharmacies is generally lower than at private clinics, according to Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) president Amrahi Buang.
Citing patients' feedback, he said those who buy their medicines at pharmacies often find them cheaper and more transparently priced than the bundled charges at clinics.
"Based on what patients have reported, the average price of medicines at community pharmacies is lower than at private clinics.
"Private clinics usually issue a lump sum charge after treatment, with no detailed breakdown. This makes it hard for patients to know how much they are paying for medicines specifically," he told Berita Harian.
Amrahi said the situation was even less clear when patients used medical or insurance cards, as claims were made directly to insurers.
"That's a difficult question to answer — what exactly is the cost involved in those claims?"
He explained that charges at private clinics typically include both the doctor's consultation fee and the cost of medicines, making it difficult to know the unit price of each item.
"In contrast, community pharmacies provide a detailed bill, showing the unit price of each product."
He added that prices of over-the-counter medicines are clearly displayed on shelves, while prices of controlled medicines can be provided on request, either electronically, in writing, or as a printout.
His comments come following the enforcement of mandatory price labelling for medicines, which took effect on May 1 under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Medicines) Order 2025, pursuant to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723).
The ruling requires all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 [Act 586] to display prices for all medicines for human use — including prescription and non-prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, traditional remedies, health supplements, and extemporaneous preparations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Association raises alarm over online sales of abortion pills
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has raised the alarm over a surge in illegal sales of unlicensed abortion pills – especially misoprostol – on social media, warning of serious, potentially fatal health risks. MPS general secretary Lim Jack Shen said these pills, often purchased online without prescriptions or guidance, pose grave risks when consumed without medical supervision. 'Medications such as misoprostol are powerful pharmaceuticals intended for use under strict clinical oversight, typically in hospital settings. 'Used incorrectly, they can cause severe uterine bleeding, incomplete abortion, uterine rupture, sepsis and even death,' he told theSun. He stressed these dangers are not minor side effects but life-threatening outcomes, particularly when such drugs are taken without proper diagnosis, monitoring or follow-up care. 'This isn't just a health issue. It's a matter of life and death, especially for young women who may feel they have nowhere else to turn for reproductive healthcare.' Lim added that pharmacy enforcement officers under the Pharmacy Enforcement Division are closely monitoring platforms such as TikTok, where the illegal sale of misoprostol and other prescription-only drugs has been detected. He added that misoprostol has been officially deregistered in Malaysia since 2016, making its sale and purchase illegal regardless of platform. 'Any transaction involving misoprostol – whether on social media or elsewhere – is against the law.' He further warned that the issue extends beyond a lack of awareness, highlighting Malaysia's highly restrictive abortion laws as a contributing factor. 'Abortion is legal only under very limited circumstances, when the mother's life is at risk. With so few legal options, many women are pushed towards unsafe alternatives.' Lim urged social media companies to act more responsibly, suggesting their algorithms could be used more effectively to detect and remove illicit drug sales. Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Drug Research researcher Dr Darshan Singh said the illegal sale of misoprostol highlights a deeper issue, limited access to safe abortion and widespread public misinformation. 'Young women, especially those who are unmarried or facing financial difficulties, often turn to these pills out of sheer desperation.' Darshan highlighted Section 312 of the Penal Code, which stipulates that causing a miscarriage is punishable by up to three years in prison. Women who self-induce an abortion can face up to seven years. He also highlighted Section 315, which deals with acts intended to prevent a child from being born alive or causing its death after birth, that carries penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment. However, abortion is permitted under Malaysian law if a registered medical practitioner, acting in good faith, believes the pregnancy poses a greater risk to the woman's life or health than terminating it as stated in the Medical Act 1971. Fellow USM researcher Dr Zurina Hassan echoed these concerns, adding that unlicensed pills may contain harmful adulterants such as steroids or incorrect dosages, significantly increasing the risk of overdose and toxic reactions. 'The purity of these black-market drugs is highly questionable. Consumers often have no idea what they're ingesting,' she warned. 'These medications should only be used under proper medical supervision.' On enforcement, Zurina acknowledged the uphill task authorities face, likening the online availability of misoprostol to the trafficking of psychoactive substances on the dark web.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysian man drowns while diving in Aceh
The diver was said to have attempted to surface following the instructor's instructions but lost consciousness upon reaching the surface. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : A 33-year-old Malaysian man drowned while diving in the waters off Iboih in Kota Sabang, Aceh, Indonesia, yesterday morning. Berita Harian reported that the victim was diving at the popular site with two other Malaysians and a dive instructor when the incident occurred at 9.30am. The daily quoted Berita Rakyat Aceh as saying Indonesian police rushed to the site after receiving a report. The group had been diving for about 20 minutes at a depth of 30m when they were caught in a strong underwater current. The victim was said to have attempted to surface following the instructor's orders but lost consciousness upon reaching the surface. He was immediately assisted by the others and taken to Pantai Iboih in a speedboat. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered by the instructor and fellow divers before he was taken to a nearby clinic. He was pronounced dead upon arrival an hour later at 10.30am. His body was taken to Sabang City Hospital for a post-mortem. The remains are expected to be repatriated to Malaysia once the post-mortem is completed.
The Sun
7 days ago
- The Sun
WHO applauds Malaysia's tobacco reforms, backed by pharmacists, advocates
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's anti-smoking campaign received a significant boost on World No Tobacco Day, as three national health advocates were honoured by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their contributions to tobacco control. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Ministry of Health deputy director of the Disease Control Division Dr Noraryana Hassan and Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) chairman Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy were recognised for their roles in shaping Malaysia's tobacco policy. In a statement today, the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) welcomed the award as a sign of global recognition for the country's collaborative approach. MPS president Amrahi Buang reiterated the society's support for stronger domestic measures, including stricter enforcement against unregulated vape sales and the Generational End Game (GEG) provision to phase out smoking for future generations. He said the society remains active in national policymaking platforms such as the MCTC, the Poisons Board and the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia. 'Pharmacists are on the front lines of cessation work. Through the mQuit programme, we provide nicotine replacement therapy and counselling at both public and private healthcare facilities. We need clear, consistent policy support to ensure these efforts succeed,' he added. In a separate statement, MCTC Secretary-General Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said 2025 had marked two major milestones in Malaysia's tobacco control efforts, namely the international recognition from the WHO and the successful adoption of the Lung Health Initiative Resolution at the World Health Assembly, a global commitment to strengthening the prevention of lung diseases. He noted that the passage of the Tobacco Control Act 852 earlier this year also laid crucial groundwork for regulating tobacco and nicotine products, but warned that passing the law is only the first step. 'The Act is only the beginning. What we need now is a commitment to put public health ahead of profit and realising Malaysia's vision of a tobacco-free society,' he said.
