Latest news with #MalaysianPharmacistsSociety
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Association raises alarm over online sales of abortion pills
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has raised the alarm over a surge in illegal sales of unlicensed abortion pills – especially misoprostol – on social media, warning of serious, potentially fatal health risks. MPS general secretary Lim Jack Shen said these pills, often purchased online without prescriptions or guidance, pose grave risks when consumed without medical supervision. 'Medications such as misoprostol are powerful pharmaceuticals intended for use under strict clinical oversight, typically in hospital settings. 'Used incorrectly, they can cause severe uterine bleeding, incomplete abortion, uterine rupture, sepsis and even death,' he told theSun. He stressed these dangers are not minor side effects but life-threatening outcomes, particularly when such drugs are taken without proper diagnosis, monitoring or follow-up care. 'This isn't just a health issue. It's a matter of life and death, especially for young women who may feel they have nowhere else to turn for reproductive healthcare.' Lim added that pharmacy enforcement officers under the Pharmacy Enforcement Division are closely monitoring platforms such as TikTok, where the illegal sale of misoprostol and other prescription-only drugs has been detected. He added that misoprostol has been officially deregistered in Malaysia since 2016, making its sale and purchase illegal regardless of platform. 'Any transaction involving misoprostol – whether on social media or elsewhere – is against the law.' He further warned that the issue extends beyond a lack of awareness, highlighting Malaysia's highly restrictive abortion laws as a contributing factor. 'Abortion is legal only under very limited circumstances, when the mother's life is at risk. With so few legal options, many women are pushed towards unsafe alternatives.' Lim urged social media companies to act more responsibly, suggesting their algorithms could be used more effectively to detect and remove illicit drug sales. Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Drug Research researcher Dr Darshan Singh said the illegal sale of misoprostol highlights a deeper issue, limited access to safe abortion and widespread public misinformation. 'Young women, especially those who are unmarried or facing financial difficulties, often turn to these pills out of sheer desperation.' Darshan highlighted Section 312 of the Penal Code, which stipulates that causing a miscarriage is punishable by up to three years in prison. Women who self-induce an abortion can face up to seven years. He also highlighted Section 315, which deals with acts intended to prevent a child from being born alive or causing its death after birth, that carries penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment. However, abortion is permitted under Malaysian law if a registered medical practitioner, acting in good faith, believes the pregnancy poses a greater risk to the woman's life or health than terminating it as stated in the Medical Act 1971. Fellow USM researcher Dr Zurina Hassan echoed these concerns, adding that unlicensed pills may contain harmful adulterants such as steroids or incorrect dosages, significantly increasing the risk of overdose and toxic reactions. 'The purity of these black-market drugs is highly questionable. Consumers often have no idea what they're ingesting,' she warned. 'These medications should only be used under proper medical supervision.' On enforcement, Zurina acknowledged the uphill task authorities face, likening the online availability of misoprostol to the trafficking of psychoactive substances on the dark web.
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.
Daily Express
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Society brings healthcare education to 66 children
Published on: Monday, May 05, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 05, 2025 Text Size: The organising committee and participants in a group photo. Kota Kinabalu: The 'My Little Pharmacist' outreach programme returned to Sabah, bringing healthcare education to children from Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Kudat and Sikuati. Organised by the Sabah Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) with support from the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS), the event was held at the Sabah State Library, Tanjung Aru Branch. A total of 66 children from various student hostels and community groups including Caring for the Future Malaysia (Papar) and the Starfish Foundation (Kudat and Sikuati) attended the event. Over the course of 3.5 hours, children took part in a series of hands-on, role-play activities simulating a pharmacist's daily duties, preparing syrups, labeling medicines, and dispensing medications. A key educational component focused on medication safety, as children were introduced to the essential '5 Rights' of medicine use: the Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Patient, and Right Time. One of the most spirited segments was the Power Cheer session, where children formed teams to deliver creative cheers promoting the values of teamwork, communication, and the pharmacy profession. Judging was carried out by attending parents, teachers, and guardians. Each child left with a smile and a bag full of door gifts including educational materials, vitamins, and shopping vouchers, generously contributed by event sponsors. The event was officially opened by Vicky Kang, Executive Director of Colform Berhad – the event's Platinum sponsor, accompanied by her family. In her opening remarks, Sabah Pharmaceutical Society President Hiew Chui Li emphasised the crucial role pharmacists play in strengthening primary healthcare systems. She said that the event supports the International Pharmaceutical Federation's (FIP) global campaign, 'Think Health, Think Pharmacy', which aims to deepen public understanding of pharmacists' contributions to community health. 'Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals. Beyond dispensing medicines, they play a pivotal role in patient education and health promotion,' said Hiew. 'Through programmes like My Little Pharmacist, we hope to inspire the next generation to consider pharmacy as a meaningful and impactful career especially in Sabah, where the need for local healthcare professionals remains high,' said Hiew. Event Organising Chairperson Shim Ye added: 'Our goal is to introduce children to the diverse roles of pharmacists and instil core medication safety values early on. It's never too soon to spark curiosity about healthcare.' With a perfect blend of fun, learning and inspiration, 'My Little Pharmacist' continues to nurture bright young minds, encouraging them to dream big and perhaps one day, to don the white coat as Sabah's future pharmacy professionals. Sabah Pharmaceutical Society hoped more companies and individuals will support future events that provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children.
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.
