Latest news with #MyCC
The Star
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Private clinics get final say on fees
Stakeholders: Advisories meant to help GPs find ways to cover rising operational costs PETALING JAYA: Although some doctors' groups have proposed new service charges in retaliation against the newly enforced rule for displaying drug prices, private clinics can exercise their own autonomy in deciding their fees, says a private practitioners' group. The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia insists that the proposals made by some of its state affiliates were made in 'good faith', adding that they were meant to help GPs cover the rising operational costs. Its president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said while advisories were issued, it is not compulsory for clinics to fix prices accordingly, and clinics are able to exercise full autonomy in setting their charges. He was responding to a Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) statement last Friday where the commission had cautioned private medical practitioners against introducing new service-related charges, as it could infringe the Competition Act 2010. Dr Shanmuganathan revealed that medical practitioners had a dialogue with MyCC in December last year, during which a proposal for a RM20 regulatory compliance charge was considered. Consequently, he said these state affiliates were mindful of not imposing fixed charges and opted to provide indicative ranges, but the move has since backfired. 'While the meeting with MyCC was constructive, the Competition Act now flags the decision to provide an indicative range as potentially problematic. 'At this point, we are compelled to ask: what are the government's real intentions toward private GP clinics? 'From where we stand, it appears the system is simply tolerating us until something more centralised and controlled is in place. 'Our profession is for patient care and the health of the rakyat,' Dr Shanmuganathan said when contacted. 'We want a sustainable, transparent GP ecosystem that patients can continue to trust. 'If there is no future for general practitioners in Malaysia's health system, we ask for honesty. 'Let us begin to responsibly wind down our practices so that our staff, medical suppliers, and patients are not blindsided when community-based private primary care collapses,' he added. Dr Shanmuganathan said what was more disturbing was the regulatory imbalance where independent GP clinics are being scrutinised while corporate third-party administrators (TPAs) continue to suppress fees without equivalent oversight from the authorities. GP Dr Roland Victor said it is not feasible for the price of medicines prescribed by clinics to be regulated as operating expenses may vary based on location. 'A shophouse in Mont Kiara will cost much more than (one) in Hulu Selangor. 'However, GP consultation fees have remained capped at RM35 for the past 30 years. 'Hence, GPs have no choice but to mark up medicine prices to manage their overhead costs such as rental, staffing and other facilities to sustain their clinics,' he said. Dr Victor said he was not against the display of drug prices but GPs need to see consultation fees fairly revised for sustainability. He agreed that TPAs contribute to the escalation of medical costs but they are not being monitored enough, nor are they regulated by the same laws imposed on GPs and clinics. 'These companies often dictate terms and conditions to GPs on how medical charges should be imposed,' Dr Victor said.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
GPs warned against imposing new charges
PETALING JAYA: Private medical practitioners have been warned not to introduce new service-related charges as it could infringe the Competition Act 2010, says the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC). Its chairman Tan Sri Idrus Harun said the commission expressed grave concern over recent reports from multiple media outlets regarding proposals by associations of private medical practitioners in Sarawak, Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to impose the fees. 'These include additional fees such as prescription charges, registration fees, regulatory compliance charges and facility fees, either already implemented or currently under consideration. 'MyCC firmly maintains that any decision made by associations, including those representing private general practitioners (GPs) to introduce these additional fees, may infringe the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712),' he said in a statement yesterday. Under Section 4(2)(a) of the Act, GPs are considered 'enterprises' and any agreement between enterprises, including the decision by association to set prices or trading conditions may be deemed anti-competitive. 'Such conduct is categorised as a serious infringement. 'It constitutes a breach of the Act regardless of whether it is implemented or simply agreed upon,' Idrus added. He said when associations collectively agree to introduce new charges, such action may be interpreted as an agreement to fix trading conditions. 'Similarly, any recommendation of a price range, regardless of whether it is binding or not, may be regarded as the conduct of price fixing under Section 4 of the Act,' he said. Idrus said the MyCC urged the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak to retract its advisory issued to members encouraging the implementation of specific new fees. 'MyCC also calls upon the Private Medical Practitioners' Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur and the Penang Medical Practitioners Society to refrain from convening meetings or taking any steps that may result in collective decisions to fix fees or introduce uniform charges,' he said, adding that these actions may be considered infringements of the law. Should there be such breaches of the Act, the MyCC may impose a financial penalty of up to 10% of its worldwide turnover for the duration of the infringement.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Private medical practitioners' proposal potentially violates Competition Act: MyCC
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has warned that proposals by private medical practitioner associations in several states to implement new service charges could potentially breach the Competition Act 2010. This comes in response to reports that several associations representing private medical practitioners are looking to introduce new service charges including prescription and registration fees, regulatory compliance charges, and facility usage fees some of which may have already been implemented or are under review. MyCC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Idrus Harun said such practices are considered serious violations and are commonly referred to as cartel activities, which are illegal regardless of whether the pricing agreement has been implemented or merely agreed upon. 'These additional charges reportedly include prescription fees, registration fees, regulatory compliance charges, and facility usage fees, which may already be in effect or currently under consideration. 'MyCC stated firmly that any collective decision by associations representing general practitioners (GPs) or private doctors to introduce such charges could be in violation of the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712),' he said in a statement. Idrus added under Section 4(2)(a) of the Act, private doctors and GPs are regarded as 'enterprises,' and any agreement between enterprises including decisions by associations to fix prices or trading terms may constitute anti-competitive conduct. 'If any association or organisation collectively agrees to introduce new charges, it may be interpreted as a price-fixing arrangement. Even non-binding pricing recommendations could be deemed price-fixing under Section 4 of the Act,' he said. The Sarawak Private Medical Practitioners' Society (SPMPS), the Private Medical Practitioners' Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (PMPASKL), and the Penang Medical Practitioners' Society (PMPS) have been specifically cautioned about the possibility of violating Competition Act. MyCC urged SPMPS to withdraw its advisory encouraging members to implement these new charges. PMPASKL and PMPS have also been advised not to hold any meetings or make decisions that could result in the uniform imposition of new charges, as this could be considered a breach of the law. 'Under the Competition Act 2010, any enterprise found guilty of violating the Act may face financial penalties of up to 10% of its global turnover during the period of infringement. 'MyCC will not hesitate to initiate investigations and take strict enforcement actions against any parties involved in anti-competitive conduct,' said Idris. He further stressed MyCC is closely monitoring the situation and called on all stakeholders in the healthcare sector to fully comply with competition laws. 'MyCC reaffirms its commitment to promoting a competitive, healthy, and transparent marketplace for the benefit of consumers and the integrity of Malaysia's economy,' he added.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Private doctors' fee plan may breach Competition Act: MyCC
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has warned that proposals by private medical practitioner associations in several states to implement new service charges could potentially breach the Competition Act 2010. This comes in response to reports that several associations representing private medical practitioners are looking to introduce new service charges including prescription and registration fees, regulatory compliance charges, and facility usage fees some of which may have already been implemented or are under review. MyCC president Tan Sri Datuk Seri Idrus Harun said such practices are considered serious violations and are commonly referred to as cartel activities, which are illegal regardless of whether the pricing agreement has been implemented or merely agreed upon. 'These additional charges reportedly include prescription fees, registration fees, regulatory compliance charges, and facility usage fees, which may already be in effect or currently under consideration. 'MyCC stated firmly that any collective decision by associations representing general practitioners (GPs) or private doctors to introduce such charges could be in violation of the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712),' he said in a statement. Idrus added under Section 4(2)(a) of the Act, private doctors and GPs are regarded as 'enterprises,' and any agreement between enterprises including decisions by associations to fix prices or trading terms may constitute anti-competitive conduct. 'If any association or organisation collectively agrees to introduce new charges, it may be interpreted as a price-fixing arrangement. Even non-binding pricing recommendations could be deemed price-fixing under Section 4 of the Act,' he said. The Sarawak Private Medical Practitioners' Society (SPMPS), the Private Medical Practitioners' Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (PMPASKL), and the Penang Medical Practitioners' Society (PMPS) have been specifically cautioned about the possibility of violating Competition Act. MyCC urged SPMPS to withdraw its advisory encouraging members to implement these new charges. PMPASKL and PMPS have also been advised not to hold any meetings or make decisions that could result in the uniform imposition of new charges, as this could be considered a breach of the law. 'Under the Competition Act 2010, any enterprise found guilty of violating the Act may face financial penalties of up to 10% of its global turnover during the period of infringement. 'MyCC will not hesitate to initiate investigations and take strict enforcement actions against any parties involved in anti-competitive conduct,' said Idris. He further stressed MyCC is closely monitoring the situation and called on all stakeholders in the healthcare sector to fully comply with competition laws. 'MyCC reaffirms its commitment to promoting a competitive, healthy, and transparent marketplace for the benefit of consumers and the integrity of Malaysia's economy,' he added.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
MyCC warns GPs against introducing new charges
PETALING JAYA: Private medical practitioners have been warned not to introduce new service-related charges as it could infringe the Competition Act 2010, says the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC). Its chairman Tan Sri Idrus Harun said the commission expressed grave concern over recent reports from multiple media outlets regarding proposals by associations of private medical practitioners in Sarawak, Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to impose the fees. 'These include additional fees such as prescription charges, registration fees, regulatory compliance charges and facility fees, either already implemented or currently under consideration. 'MyCC firmly maintains that any decision made by associations, including those representing private general practitioners (GPs) to introduce these additional fees, may infringe the Competition Act 2010 (Act 712),' he said in a statement on Friday (May 23). Under Section 4(2)(a) of the Act, GPs are considered 'enterprises' and any agreement between enterprises, including the decision by association to set prices or trading conditions may be deemed anticompetitive. 'Such conduct is categorised as a serious infringement. 'It constitutes a breach of the Act regardless of whether it is implemented or simply agreed upon,' Idrus added. He said when associations collectively agree to introduce new charges, such action may be interpreted as an agreement to fix trading conditions. 'Similarly, any recommendation of a price range, regardless of whether it is binding or not, may be regarded as the conduct of price fixing under Section 4 of the Act,' he said. Idrus said the MyCC urged the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak to retract its advisory issued to members encouraging the implementation of specific new fees. 'MyCC also calls upon the Private Medical Practitioners' Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur and the Penang Medical Practitioners Society to refrain from convening meetings or taking any steps that may result in collective decisions to fix fees or introduce uniform charges,' he said, adding that these actions may be considered infringements of the law. Should there be such breaches of the Act, MyCC may impose a financial penalty of up to 10% of its worldwide turnover for the duration of the infringement. 'The MyCC will not hesitate to investigate and take strict enforcement action against any party engaged in anti-competitive conduct,' Idrus said. He added that the MyCC is closely monitoring this matter and strongly urges all stakeholders, especially those in the healthcare sector, to fully comply with the Act.
