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The Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Medicine price display facilitates fair comparisons
KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the Medicine Price Display Order at private healthcare facilities and pharmacies not only protects consumer rights but also allows insurance companies to compare the displayed medicine prices with those charged by private hospitals and clinics. Professor of Health Economics, Policy and Management at IMU University Prof Datuk Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid Syed Junid said this would allow insurance providers to make fairer comparisons and engage in more transparent negotiations with panel health facilities, while also fostering more affordable and competitive pricing in the market. 'This move is one of the key building blocks in transforming the country's health system, particularly in addressing rising health inflation and ensuring access to quality medicines at reasonable prices. 'The transparency of the price display makes regulation easier, as there are clinics that may mark up prices unreasonably. 'This allows insurance companies to investigate, analyse, and take appropriate action when processing patient claims for treatment at private hospitals or clinics,' he said when appearing as a guest on the Temu Bual Radio programme aired on Bernama Radio today. According to Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid, the Medicine Price Display initiative was introduced to improve transparency in medicine pricing, enabling consumers to make informed and smarter decisions when purchasing medicines according to their affordability. 'Consumers can now view medicine prices before making a purchase, helping to prevent hidden costs or excessive pricing. This initiative also allows them to compare prices across healthcare providers and make informed choices. 'The move introduced by the government aims to prevent consumers from being burdened with unreasonable charges for medicines,' he said. In response to concerns that the initiative may affect private medical practitioners or GPs, Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid said that the effort was not intended to disrupt GP services or their operating models but rather to enhance the transparency of the existing system. 'What the government is doing is displaying medicine prices, not controlling them. Private facility doctors can set prices they deem appropriate. The government does not set prices, allowing these parties to establish their own prices based on the cost of purchasing medicines,' he said.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Public must learn the basics of disaster management, says Nadma
KUALA LUMPUR: The public must be equipped with basic knowledge in disaster management to prepare them for any situation, including floods, says the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus. However, he emphasised that public involvement in disaster management is the international standard and should not be seen as a sign of government agencies' weakness. "…internationally, everyone, including members of the public, has a role to play in ensuring their safety, which in turn helps reduce the risk of losses or property damage," he said after appearing as a guest on Bernama Radio's Jendela Fikir programme titled Nadma dan Usaha Malaysia dalam Pengurusan Bencana Asean (Nadma and Malaysia's Efforts in Asean Disaster Management) on Tuesday (April 29). According to Khairul Shahril, Nadma encourages public and NGO involvement in disaster management by fostering a deeper understanding of multi-stakeholder collaboration, which is key to effective disaster response and preparedness. On Malaysia's efforts in international disaster management, he said overseas humanitarian missions, particularly in Asean countries, have significantly enhanced the skills of the country's rescue and relief personnel. "Each country faces unique challenges and adopts different approaches. Indonesia, for example, experiences more frequent and complex disasters compared to Malaysia. Through humanitarian missions, we can learn strategies and best practices in disaster management. "Overseas experience helps us to enhance our knowledge and elevate the level of disaster management within the country," he said. On the involvement of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) in Myanmar under the Malaysian Humanitarian Aid Mission, Khairul Shahril noted that the team received recognition from the United Nations following a thorough audit process. He said, Nadma aims to leverage Malaysia's expertise to help raise the standards of rescue personnel across Asean, through joint training sessions, among other things, adding that the initiative was among the key objectives of the recent official visit by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Authority and the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. A total of 50 Nadma personnel were involved in the humanitarian aid mission and search and rescue operations for earthquake victims in Myanmar last month. – Bernama
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Copyright applications in music sector lag behind literary works
KUALA LUMPUR: Applications for copyright protection of original music and recordings in Malaysia remain significantly lower compared to literary works, said Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) deputy director-general (Strategic & Technical) Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff. 'Over the last 10 years, we received 786 copyright applications for musical works and 907 for sound recordings, whereas literary works accounted for 37,000 applications,' she said during a Bernama Radio interview today. 'This is why we've chosen the theme Muzik Kita, Milik Kita (Our Music, Our Property) for this year's National Intellectual Property Day celebration, to raise awareness and encourage local creators to register their works with MyIPO,' she said. Yusnieza Syarmila also shared that MyIPO has received over 69,000 copyright applications in the past year alone. Registration can be completed at any MyIPO office, with a fee of just RM200. She said that since the introduction of the voluntary copyright registration system for local industry players in 2012, certificates are issued in half an hour, compared to one month previously, provided the application form is complete. Registering a copyright, she added, serves as a key facilitation tool in the event of infringement. 'With proper documentation, the certificate can serve as evidence to support the rights holder in cases of copyright infringement. If a violation occurs, it becomes easier to file a report with the enforcement authorities. 'The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living will then verify the registration with MyIPO before initiating a raid or further action,' she explained. Yusnieza Syarmila added that copyrights registered with MyIPO remain valid for the lifetime of the creator and 50 years following their death.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Copyright applications in music sector lag behind literary works, says MyIPO
KUALA LUMPUR: Applications for copyright protection of original music and recordings in Malaysia remain significantly lower compared to literary works, said Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) deputy director-general (Strategic & Technical) Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff. "Over the last 10 years, we received 786 copyright applications for musical works and 907 for sound recordings, whereas literary works accounted for 37,000 applications," she said during a Bernama Radio interview on Tuesday (April 22). "This is why we've chosen the theme Muzik Kita, Milik Kita (Our Music, Our Property) for this year's National Intellectual Property Day celebration, to raise awareness and encourage local creators to register their works with MyIPO," she said. Yusnieza Syarmila also shared that MyIPO has received over 69,000 copyright applications in the past year alone. Registration can be completed at any MyIPO office, with a fee of just RM200. She said that since the introduction of the voluntary copyright registration system for local industry players in 2012, certificates are issued in half an hour, compared to one month previously, provided the application form is complete. Registering a copyright, she added, serves as a key facilitation tool in the event of infringement. "With proper documentation, the certificate can serve as evidence to support the rights holder in cases of copyright infringement. If a violation occurs, it becomes easier to file a report with the enforcement authorities. "The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will then verify the registration with MyIPO before initiating a raid or further action," she explained. Yusnieza Syarmila added that copyrights registered with MyIPO remain valid for the lifetime of the creator and 50 years following their death. - Bernama
