Latest news with #MedicalAct1971
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.
The Star
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
MMA: Ease specialist trainees' pathways
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has raised concerns over the nation's ability to meet its target of producing 28,000 medical specialists in the public healthcare sector by 2030, warning that current training rates are insufficient to keep up with growing healthcare demands. Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the country should continue setting clear targets and reviewing healthcare needs in line with population growth, with more decisive efforts needed to expand specialist training pathways. 'What we need most of all is for doctors in the public service to be encouraged to specialise early on in their careers and to be provided with all the support. 'It has always been the MMA's view that training avenues for specialisation be made more accessible and convenient. 'For this purpose, both the local Masters and Parallel Pathway programmes must be supported,' he said when contacted yesterday. According to Dr Kalwinder, while Masters programme placements have increased to over 1,500 annually, expansion remains limited by the number of public university teaching hospitals available. 'Government hospitals have always served as training centres for parallel pathway programmes, and this is a strength we must capitalise on. 'With the extensive network of government hospitals and experienced senior doctors, more medical officers could be trained as specialists,' he added. Dr Kalwinder also proposed allowing doctors to undergo supervised, structured training while remaining at their current workplaces to encourage greater uptake of specialist training. He said frequent relocations and disruptions to family life during training have deterred some from pursuing specialisation. 'The MMA also welcomed the government's move last year to amend the Medical Act 1971 to better facilitate parallel pathway programmes,' he added, describing it as 'a step in the right direction'. However, Dr Kalwinder raised concerns about the current requirement for doctors to secure the Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HLP) scholarship before entering specialist training, calling for a review of the policy. 'The limited number of HLP awards, which are offered only once a year, has led to delays for many doctors, particularly those pursuing parallel pathway programmes. 'This system discourages many from specialising, as plans change and other career options open up while they wait for opportunities,' he said. Dr Kalwinder suggested that the Health Ministry consider relooking at the HLP requirement, especially for doctors willing to self-fund their specialist training, as how it was allowed in the past. He also proposed increasing the number of specialist programme intakes throughout the year to further encourage participation. The MMA, he said, called on the ministry to provide updated projections on the number of specialists needed in various fields. The Star, in its front-page report yesterday, noted that stakeholders are concerned over the shortage of medical specialists in the country, calling for authorities to take decisive action to address the issue.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Increase training capacity to resolve shortage, say experts
PETALING JAYA: Authorities must act decisively by expanding specialist training programmes and offering better incentives to address the ongoing shortage of medical professionals, experts say. Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery honorary secretary Prof Dr John Chan Kok Meng said specialist training was previously confined to universities through their Masters programmes. 'However, the universities and university teaching hospitals have limited capacity. 'The amendment to the Medical Act 1971 last year now permits the Health Ministry to offer specialist training in its hospitals via a parallel pathway, significantly increasing the country's training capacity,' he said yesterday. Despite this progress, Dr Chan expressed concern that the amended Medical Act has yet to be enforced, highlighting the urgency of its implementation. 'Until last year, the criteria for specialist registration were also very restrictive. In cardiothoracic surgery, for example, only four qualifications were recognised – one each from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. 'Without one of these qualifications, practising as a specialist in cardiothoracic surgery in Malaysia was impossible,' he said. Fortunately, the amendment to the Medical Act 1971 has expanded this list. 'Now, eight qualifications in cardiothoracic surgery are recognised. 'More importantly, the Malaysian Medical Council can now recognise specialists trained elsewhere, providing flexibility in registering specialists and moving beyond the previous restrictive list,' Dr Chan added. Private Hospitals Malaysia Association president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said private hospitals experience varied demands for specialists, influenced by location and the type of specialities offered. 'Some private hospitals are multi-discipline, while others are more general, affecting their staffing needs. 'By law, hospitals must have at least one full-time specialist to offer specific services,' he explained. This requirement can lead to shortages if hospitals aim to expand their services. Dr Kuljit said, unlike private hospitals, the government was obligated to provide comprehensive healthcare services and is more acutely aware of areas with specialist shortages. To fulfil the demand for medical specialists in the government sector, he suggested intensifying and refining specialisation programmes. Additionally, Dr Kuljit proposed offering incentives to entice Malaysian specialists working abroad to return home and contribute to the healthcare system.
