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The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia-European Free Trade Association partnership agreement could negatively impact many sectors, says CAP
PETALING JAYA: The proposed Malaysia-European Free Trade Association (Efta) Economic Partnership Agreement (Meepa) could have far-reaching consequences for public health, access to seeds, and farmers' rights, says the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP). Health policy advisor Dr Lim Chee Han stated that the leaked intellectual property (IP) annexe of the deal contains 'TRIPS-plus' provisions—rules that exceed the requirements under the World Trade Organisation's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). These provisions, he explained, could lead to extended patent monopolies, restrict the government's ability to introduce affordable generic medicines, and increase the cost of essential drugs. 'Agreeing to TRIPS-plus measures ties the hands of our government. It restricts our ability to respond to public health needs and will drive up the cost of medicines, affecting access for patients who need life-saving treatment,' he said during the press conference on Friday (June 13). Lim also warned that the agreement would impact the country's food security and farmers' livelihoods. 'The provisions would undermine existing protections in our national laws that allow farmers to save, reuse, exchange, and sell their seeds. This threatens our local farming practices and long-term food sovereignty,' he said. He emphasised that Malaysia, as a net importer of intellectual property, stands to lose more than it gains. 'Efta countries, including Switzerland and Norway, represent a small market compared to Malaysia. Yet we are being asked to give up a lot, especially when the total population of Efta is less than half of ours,' he added. Lim urged the government not to rush into signing the deal and called for transparency in the negotiation process. 'The full text of Meepa must be released for public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny. We must retain our right to regulate in the public interest, especially in areas as vital as health and agriculture,' he said. Additionally, the group has submitted the memorandum to the Prime Minister's Department, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, and the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
Malay Mail
02-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Consumer groups back medicine price display rule, say it tackles excessive mark-ups, protects rights
KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — The implementation of medicine price display at private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies, effective May 1, has been described as a commendable move to strengthen consumer rights in making informed decisions. National Consumer Action Council deputy president (International Policy and Strategy) Masrudi Abdul Rahman said clear price displays would enable consumers to compare prices and manage their healthcare budgets more efficiently. 'This initiative can also act as an indirect form of health education and serve as a starting point for wider discussions on product effectiveness, safety and whether a particular medicine or supplement is necessary or simply part of a trend,' he told Bernama. The price display requirement is enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Labelling for Medicines) Order 2025, pursuant to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. It applies to all medicines for human use, including controlled medicines, prescription and non-prescription drugs, traditional medicines, health supplements and extemporaneous preparations. Public health policy researcher from the People's Health Forum Dr Lim Chee Han said a study on Medicine Price Monitoring in Malaysia conducted by the Health Ministry in 2022 showed that high medical costs and medicine prices stemmed from a lack of pricing transparency. 'Patients often learn the price of their medicines only after receiving the bill, which is unfair. This practice has become normalised in the medical sector. 'According to the study, price mark-ups could reach up to 200 per cent, a key factor contributing to high medical costs, which is unacceptable,' he said when contacted. He expressed hope that the implementation of the Medicine Price Transparency Mechanism would help curb excessive pricing by empowering consumers to make price comparisons. Meanwhile, several consumer organisations said in a joint statement that the new law is a critical step toward addressing the longstanding issues of price opacity and wide price variations that have disadvantaged consumers, and stressed that it must not be confused with price control. 'It is the fundamental right of a consumer to be informed, to be heard, to choose and to be safe with the goods which they consume. Medicines are an essential good where there is information asymmetry in their provision and consumption,' according to the statement. The statement was jointly issued by the Consumers' Association of Penang, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, Persatuan Pengguna Luar Bandar dan Ekologi Malaysia, Teras Pengupayaan Melayu and Persatuan Keselamatan Pengguna Kuala Lumpur. They said that the price display mechanism addresses the fundamental right of the consumer or patient to be informed about the good being purchased. 'This policy focuses solely on the pricing of medicines, not on the fees or income of healthcare professionals such as doctors. 'Doctors' earnings relate to consultation fees, operational costs, and remuneration, which are separate financial considerations, involving different revenue streams, coming under different ministries and under different policy and regulatory frameworks,' according to the statement. — Bernama
