Latest news with #MedicinePricesMonitoringStudy
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Full enforcement of medicine price display policy begins Jan 1
Your browser does not support the audio element. KUALA LUMPUR: Private healthcare centres and community pharmacy facilities must fully comply with the medicine price display policy rules starting Jan 1 next year, the Dewan Rakyat heard yesterday. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the move follows an enforcement education period of three months ending on July 31 where no penalty and compounds were issued. "This was then continued with the phased administrative enforcement period on Aug 1, during which inspections and monitoring will be conducted until Dec 31. "During this period, reminder letters will be issued to non-compliant facilities, while compounds for repeated offences will be imposed from Oct 1," he said. A full enforcement will be made next year. Lukanisman said this in response to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat), who questioned the status of the implementation phase of the medicine price display regulation and its effectiveness in curbing hidden healthcare costs. He added that as of July 31, 55 per cent (900 out of 1,639 inspected facilities) had satisfactorily complied with the requirements. "However, 45 per cent, or 739 facilities, had yet to meet the expected compliance level, including having incomplete price displays or displays that were not easily accessible. "These findings indicate the need for stricter monitoring, guidance sessions, and phased enforcement against non-compliant premises," he said. The Health Ministry will also conduct the Medicine Prices Monitoring Study, starting next month, to evaluate the policy's impact to improve pricing transparency. The aim, he said, was to create a more transparent, fair and consumer-friendly private healthcare system. The mandatory price labelling for medicines at private healthcare centres and community pharmacy facilities was rolled out on May 1.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Full enforcement of medicine price display policy from Jan 1
KUALA LUMPUR: Full enforcement of the medicine price display policy in private healthcare centres and community pharmacy facilities will begin on Jan 1 next year, the Dewan Rakyat heard today. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the move follows an enforcement education period of three months ending on July 31 for the premise management to adapt to the policy where no penalty and compounds will be issued. "This is then continued with the phased administrative enforcement period Aug 1, during which inspections and continuous monitoring will be conducted until Dec 31. "During this period, reminder letters will be issued to non-compliant facilities, while compounds for repeated offences will be imposed from October 1," he said. A full enforcement will be made next year, Lukanisman said in response to the question posed by Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat) on the status of the prudent implementation phase of the medicine price display at private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies, as well as its effectiveness in controlling healthcare service charges from unreasonable hidden costs. Lukanisman added that initial assessment of the policy's implementation showed that, as of July 31, 55 per cent, or 900 out of 1,639 private healthcare facilities inspected, had satisfactorily complied with the requirements. "However, 45 per cent, or 739 facilities, had yet to meet the expected compliance level, including having incomplete price displays or displays that were not easily accessible to patients. "These findings indicate the need for further action, such as strengthening monitoring, conducting additional guidance sessions, and phased enforcement against non-compliant premises," he said. He said the Health Ministry will also conduct a study under the Medicine Prices Monitoring Study beginning September 2025 to evaluate the impact of the policy, with its findings serving as a key reference for policy improvements, particularly in pricing and transparency. The aim, he said, is to create a more transparent, fair, and consumer-friendly private healthcare system. The mandatory price labelling for medicines at private healthcare centres and community pharmacy facilities was rolled out on May 1. It was aimed to ensure the public can make informed choices by knowing, comparing, and selecting the best prices when managing their medication expenses.
