Latest news with #AmrahiBuang
The Star
6 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Pharmacists: Malaysia's frontline warriors against tobacco, vaping
PETALING JAYA: Pharmacists are key frontliners in Malaysia's ongoing fight against smoking and vaping, says the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS). Its president, Amrahi Buang, said pharmacists across the country continue to play a critical role in helping Malaysians quit tobacco, particularly through the Health Ministry's mQuit programme. 'Since the inception of the mQuit programme, MPS has collaborated closely with the ministry to train pharmacists in smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. 'Pharmacists are professionally equipped and stationed across public hospitals, health clinics and private community pharmacies where they deliver person-centred cessation counselling, nicotine replacement therapy interventions and behavioural support. 'Thousands of Malaysians ready to quit smoking have benefited from the mQuit programme since its inception,' he said in a statement on Saturday (May 31). Amrahi also highlighted Malaysia's strong representation at the international level, with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, the ministry's disease control division deputy director Dr Noraryana Hassan and Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) chairman Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy being named recipients of the World Health Organisation's World No Tobacco Day 2025 Award. He added that their recognition aligns with Malaysia's multi-stakeholder approach to combating tobacco use and vaping-related harms. Amrahi said MPS has long championed bold legislative reforms, including support for the Generational End Game provision to protect those born after 2007 from tobacco and vape addiction. He said MPS has reaffirmed its commitment to tobacco control efforts and would continue to engage across sectors and platforms to strengthen tobacco control efforts, both nationally and internationally. These include participation in bodies such as the MCTC, the mQuit Services Committee, the Poisons Board, the Drug Control Authority and the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia. On the ground, the society supports school campaigns, inter-professional partnerships and public awareness initiatives to build a healthier, tobacco-free generation. The society also continues to advocate for the restoration of regulatory safeguards and nationwide enforcement against the sale of illegal vapes and unlicensed outlets. 'We must not waver in our stance that health must come before profits, and that the nation's legislative framework must reflect this principle,' Amrahi said. 'As we mark World No Tobacco Day 2025, we renew our commitment to advocate without fear or favour, equip pharmacists with tools for intervention and stand united with all public health champions, across professions and politics, for the health of our nation. 'In the words of the World Health Organisation, 'We need food, not tobacco.' MPS responds: We need health, not harm. We need action, not delay,' said Amrahi.
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Pharmacists call for drug price display rule to include supply chain
Malaysian Pharmacists Society president Amrahi Buang said pricing transparency empowered the people to take control of their health. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Pharmacists Society has backed a law compelling private healthcare facilities to display prices of medicines and called for the policy to be extended across the whole supply chain. MPS president Amrahi Buang said pricing transparency empowered the people to take control of their health, which was why it stood with the coalition of 21 consumer associations in support of the government's policy. Amrahi Buang. But such 'transparency' is also needed across the whole supply chain to discourage anti-competitive behaviour and protect the standards of practice, he said. 'We believe that information is power and by sharing it, we can deliver a more sustainable healthcare system,' Amrahi said in a statement. Private general practitioners (GPs) have been against the mandatory display of drug prices under a law unrelated to the health sector. Earlier this month, over 200 GPs gathered to protest the policy near the Prime Minister's Office. The gathering was organised by the Malaysian Medical Association's (MMA) private general medical practitioners section. MMA has repeatedly said it is not against the mandatory drug price display rule in itself but its implementation under a non-health related law. The doctors argue that the rule should fall under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, not the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. In February, MPS had joined the calls for implementation of the policy to be deferred. The society's call for the mandatory price display policy to be extended to include the whole supply chain is among the 10 proposals submitted to the prime minister. This is aimed at strengthening the role of independent community pharmacies. Other proposals include a national health financing scheme, a mandatory prescription policy and regulation of online and cross-border medicine sales.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Pharmacists: Price display a win for public well-being
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's implementation of the law for displaying medicine prices has been hailed as a crucial step towards increasing transparency and strengthening consumer rights. Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) president Prof Amrahi Buang said the move will enable Malaysians to make more informed decisions about medications based on their financial means. He said it reflects the government's commitment to public well-being by promoting greater transparency within the national healthcare system. 'MPS views it as part of the government's initiative to educate and empower consumers, particularly regarding their right to know medicine prices and to choose where to obtain their medications, whether from clinics or pharmacies. 'This is a very positive step as it empowers consumers to make smarter and more affordable choices, which will ultimately benefit society as a whole. 'It will also help raise public awareness and improve health literacy related to medication pricing,' he told Bernama. Amrahi said the operations of community pharmacies are already outlined under the Community Pharmacy Benchmarking Guidelines and that the practice of price display has long been in place for many products listed under the new Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) order. He said while pharmacy chains may not face significant challenges, smaller independent community pharmacies may encounter some initial difficulties. 'However, with clear briefings through engagement sessions and a comprehensive FAQ document, the implementation of this order can proceed smoothly,' he added. Amrahi also said the MPS held a town hall session on April 27 to allow private pharmacies to seek further clarification from the Health Ministry. In discussing the importance of pharmacies in the successful implementation of this policy, he emphasised that community pharmacies must remain vigilant and attentive to patients' rights. 'As service providers, community pharmacies must understand and meet the needs and rights of patients. This is in line with the 2018 Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, which prioritises patient and consumer welfare.' He also welcomed the government's decision to allow a three-month grace period for the implementation of the order, saying it gives small-scale pharmacies sufficient time to enhance their operations in line with the new order. 'MPS will also run a countdown via our communication channels to remind members of the order's enforcement timeline,' he said.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
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.
