Latest news with #KembaraTolakUbatTidakSah
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
RM37.5 mil worth of unregistered medicines confiscated last year, MOH says
KUALA SELANGOR: The Health Ministry has confiscated 21,571 unregistered medicines nationwide in 2024, totalling RM37.5 million. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said this marks an increase compared to 2023, where a total of 20,157 items, including medicines, cosmetics and raw materials, were confiscated, valued at around RM24.8 million. In 2024, he said a total of 17,630 unregistered products were confiscated, including health supplements, along with 3,941 cosmetic products that were not notified to the ministry. "These figures send a clear message that the sale of illegal drugs is becoming more rampant — and efforts to combat it must be strengthened with a comprehensive approach and cooperation from all parties," he said at a press conference after launching the Kembara Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah (Reject Illegal Medicines Roadshow) programme here today. Dzulkefly added that the roadshow would be expanded to other regions, including Kelantan, Johor, Sabah, and Perak. He added that nearly 70 per cent of the confiscated products were made based on complaints about the sale of medicines online. He also warned that the consumption of unregistered medicines poses long-term health risks, including potential damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and nervous system. He said the term unregistered medicine comprises five main types of offences commonly identified by the Pharmacy Enforcement Division: medicines not registered with the ministry; counterfeit medicines; products adulterated with scheduled substances or poisons; medicines obtained from unauthorised sources; and those imported without the ministry's approval. He advised the public to verify the authenticity of health products before making a purchase by checking for the 'MAL' registration number and the FarmaTag™ hologram security label. "Verifications can also be done via the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency website or by using the FarmaChecker mobile app," Dzulkefly said.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Private GP fee review to be finalised within a month
KUALA SELANGOR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today assured that the review of consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs) will be finalised within a month. He said that a Cabinet memorandum and circular had been prepared and were expected to be tabled within the same period. 'I have prepared the Cabinet memorandum and circular for the matter. So, I expect to resolve this within one month at the latest. 'Once I have tabled it and obtained Cabinet approval, it will be executed, as the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) has already agreed to the review,' he told reporters after attending the Central Zone 'Kembara Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah' (TOBaTS) campaign programme here. On March 13, Dzulkefly was reported as saying that the revised consultation fee rates for private practitioners would be announced before May 1. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the ministry would not prevent general practitioners from marching to the Prime Minister's Office this coming Tuesday (May 6) to protest against the policy requiring private medical centres to display medication prices, as it is their right. 'I believe they will act in a civil and respectful manner, and I am ready to receive any memorandum they may submit. 'I cannot stop them, but honestly, I want them to understand what the ministry (and) what this minister, has been fighting for on their behalf. They need to know that I have fought for Schedule 7 (related to the GP fee review),' he said.
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health minister says won't stop May 6 protest march to Putrajaya, but ‘fought' for private GP fee, final decision within a month
KUALA SELANGOR, May 3 — Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today assured that the review of consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs) will be finalised within a month. He said that a Cabinet memorandum and circular had been prepared and were expected to be tabled within the same period. 'I have prepared the Cabinet memorandum and circular for the matter. So, I expect to resolve this within one month at the latest. 'Once I have tabled it and obtained Cabinet approval, it will be executed, as the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) has already agreed to the review,' he told reporters after attending the Central Zone 'Kembara Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah' (TOBaTS) campaign programme here. On March 13, Dzulkefly was reported as saying that the revised consultation fee rates for private practitioners would be announced before May 1. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the ministry would not prevent general practitioners from marching to the Prime Minister's Office this coming Tuesday (May 6) to protest against the policy requiring private medical centres to display medication prices, as it is their right. 'I believe they will act in a civil and respectful manner, and I am ready to receive any memorandum they may submit. 'I cannot stop them, but honestly, I want them to understand what the ministry (and) what this minister, has been fighting for on their behalf. They need to know that I have fought for Schedule 7 (related to the GP fee review),' he said. — Bernama
The Star
03-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Review of private GP consultation fees to be finalised within a month, says Dzulkefly
KUALA SELANGOR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today assured that the review of consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs) will be finalised within a month. He said that a Cabinet memorandum and circular had been prepared and were expected to be tabled within the same period. "I have prepared the Cabinet memorandum and circular for the matter. So, I expect to resolve this within one month at the latest. "Once I have tabled it and obtained Cabinet approval, it will be executed, as the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) has already agreed to the review," he told reporters after attending the Central Zone 'Kembara Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah' (TOBaTS) campaign programme here. On March 13, Dzulkefly was reported as saying that the revised consultation fee rates for private practitioners would be announced before May 1. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the ministry would not prevent general practitioners from marching to the Prime Minister's Office this coming Tuesday (May 6) to protest against the policy requiring private medical centres to display medication prices, as it is their right. "I believe they will act in a civil and respectful manner, and I am ready to receive any memorandum they may submit. "I cannot stop them, but honestly, I want them to understand what the ministry (and) what this minister, has been fighting for on their behalf. They need to know that I have fought for Schedule 7 (related to the GP fee review),' he said. - Bernama
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Dzulkefly: GPs have right to protest, but must acknowledge ministry's efforts
HL: Dzulkefly: GPs have right to protest, but must acknowledge ministry's efforts KUALA SELANGOR: The planned march by private general practitioners (GPs) from the Health Ministry to the Prime Minister's Office is their democratic right, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said the ministry would not prevent the protest and that he is prepared to receive the memorandum they wish to submit. "As for the MMA (Malaysian Medical Association) and the GPs planning to march, it is their democratic right. "I won't stop them, but honestly, I want them to understand what this ministry, and this minister, has been fighting for on their behalf. "I'm confident they will do so in a civil and respectful manner, and I am ready to receive any memorandum they wish to present," he said at a press conference after launching the 'Kembara Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah' programme here today. Dzulkefly also urged GPs to acknowledge the ministry's ongoing efforts, particularly regarding the revision of consultation fees, an issue he has championed since his first tenure as Health Minister from 2018 to 2020. "You may go ahead with your march, but please bear in mind that I, as your minister, have been working for you since my first term, and I remain committed to getting this done. "Your commitment to medicine price display should be your responsibility. We understand that the public and consumers want this," he said. He described GPs as the backbone of the primary healthcare system and expressed hope that they would continue to enhance healthcare services. Earlier, the media reported that general practitioners are planning to stage a march in protest against the mandatory price labelling initiative, which officially began on May 1. The initiative aims to ensure that the public can make informed choices by knowing, comparing, and selecting the best prices when managing their medication expenses. It will be enforced 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 price labelling requirement applies to all medicines for human use, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, traditional remedies, health supplements, and extemporaneous preparations. Ends
