MMA calls for clear legal framework on medicine pricing

New Straits Times

27-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to act swiftly on issues affecting private general practitioners (GPs), stressing the need for clear legal frameworks and fair consultation fees to ensure the sustainability of Malaysia's primary healthcare system.
MMA president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the association looks forward to the government's firm decisions following its joint memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier this month.
He said among the top concerns were the appropriate regulation of medicine price display policies and the long-overdue revision of GP consultation fees.
He welcomed Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad commitment to place the medicine price display policy under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, a move the MMA has long advocated, rather than the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, which was never designed to regulate professional healthcare services.
"To avoid disputes and legal ambiguities that may arise from overlapping legislation, the government must immediately de-gazette clinics from the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) once the decision is made to place the medicine price display policy under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586).
"Keeping clinics under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act after the policy shift would only create unnecessary legal ambiguity," he said in a statement.
He said the government must act swiftly to ensure regulatory clarity and prevent jurisdictional overlap by formally de-gazetting clinics from Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 once the other Act comes into effect.
"While doctors fully support price transparency, we strongly maintain that all healthcare-related policies must be implemented and enforced under the purview of the Health Ministry (MOH).
"While we respect the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's role in regulating the retail sector, it is important to recognise that healthcare is not retail."
He said clinics provide essential, expert-driven services built on trust and ethical duty, not commercial transactions.
Applying retail-based policies to medical practice risks compromising the quality and integrity of care Malaysians deserve, he said.
Dr Kalwinder also called on the government to address the longstanding issue of stagnant consultation fees for private GPs.
He said fees under the 7th Schedule of Act 586 have remained unchanged for over 33 years, despite significant increases in operating costs.
"GP clinics are the front line of Malaysia's primary healthcare system.
"For them to remain viable and continue delivering quality care, consultation fees must be reviewed and adjusted to reflect current realities," he said.
He said the MMA has submitted a detailed proposal justifying the fee revision and hopes for a fair outcome that supports the long-term sustainability of private clinics.
"These issues must not be delayed.