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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.