Latest news with #PriceControlandAnti-Profiteering
Asia News Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Asia News Network
Malaysian doctors fight medicine price rule
PETALING JAYA – The medicine price display rule has been challenged in court by several doctors who want the order to be quashed. The doctors filed for a judicial review, saying the rule hurts small clinics and was introduced without proper consultation. They want the rule, which took effect on May 1, to be revoked. The lawsuit named the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Health Minister and the Federal Government as the first, second and third respondents, respectively. The applicants are the Association of Private Practitioners, Sabah (APPS), the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Malaysian Association for the Advancement of Functional and Interdisciplinary Medicine (Maafim), the Organisation of Malaysian Muslim Doctors (Perdim), the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM), the Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners' Association (MPDPA), the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak (SPMPS), and one Dr Saifulbahri Ahmad. The lawsuit was in relation to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025, which came into effect on May 1. The medical practitioners are seeking an order of certiorari to quash the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Making for Drug) Order 2025 (ministry's order). According to the statement of claim of the suit filed on July 24, they are also seeking a declaration that the ministry's order was void and tainted with illegality, irrationality, unreasonableness, disproportionality and impropriety. They asked that the enforcement of the ministry's order 'insofar as its application to private healthcare facilities and/or registered medical practitioners and dentists' be stayed until the judicial review case is over. Among the grounds for the judicial review is the failure of the government to recognise the difference between drugs sold in retail and drugs administered for treatment purposes. It added that the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister had breached principles of natural justice by arriving at the decision without consulting registered medical practitioners represented by the MMA. They said that while the purpose of the regulation was to curb profiteering activities, it has created unwarranted competition among providers of drugs, with the singular denominator purely being the price of drugs. 'This means even small-scale community clinics operated by general practitioners (GPs) and specialists have to now compete with large-scale drug retailers, for example, international chain pharmacies who already enjoy a larger market control and the ability to gain further control of retail customers by selling drugs at a much lower price,' they said. They added that small-scale community clinics would be at a disadvantage if forced to enter into an unwarranted competition with large-scale pharmaceutical companies. They said drug prices in clinics are determined by variables such as manufacturers; freight charges; export or import duties; importers; distributors; volume purchased; location of the clinics; different formulations of the same product; provisions for wastage of expired unused drugs; and staff and administrative expenses. The price display rule was met with much resistance by private healthcare practitioners. A three-month grace period from May 1 has also been given, where no compounds would be issued and the government would instead focus on advocacy and education. According to the court's website, the suit is set for case management at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 22.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Drug price display initiative continues in Malaysia from Aug 1
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) are proceeding with the drug price display initiative at private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies. The phased implementation, which began on August 1, follows an initial educational enforcement period from May 1 to July 31. A joint statement from both ministries confirmed that 842 facilities, including medical clinics, dental clinics, private hospitals, and community pharmacies, were inspected during the initial phase. Of these, 57 per cent complied with the drug price display requirements. 'Enforcement will continue through inspections and advocacy until September 30, with reminder letters issued for non-compliance,' the statement said. Full enforcement, including penalties for repeat offences, will begin on January 1, 2026. The ministries acknowledged a judicial review filed by seven medical and dental organisations challenging the validity of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking of Medicines) Order 2025. However, they clarified that no court order has suspended the initiative, meaning the regulation remains in effect. MOH and KPDN reiterated their commitment to implementing the policy in a structured manner to enhance transparency and consumer trust in Malaysia's healthcare system. - Bernama
The Star
30-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Drug price display rule to proceed
Ministry to continue educational enforcement pending judicial review PUTRAJAYA: The medicine price display rule will go ahead with 'educational enforcement' on Aug 1 despite a court action filed to challenge it, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister gave this assurance pending the outcome of a judicial review filed by doctors recently, challenging the order and wanting the display rule to be deferred for the time being. 'We are aware of the application for the judicial review and I have no problems with it. Nevertheless, the implementation of the order will proceed,' he said at a press conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment (NHTA) Conference 2025 here yesterday. Dzulkefly was asked to comment on the judicial review filed by the Association of Private Practitioners, Sabah (APPS), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Malaysian Association for the Advancement of Functional and Interdisciplinary Medicine (Maafim), Organisation of Malaysian Muslim Doctors (Perdim), Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM), Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners' Association (MPDPA), Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak (SPMPS) and one Dr Saifulbahri Ahmad. The judicial review is in relation to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025, which was to have come into effect on May 1. The doctors want the rule to be revoked, saying that it hurts small clinics and was introduced without proper consultation. The lawsuit by the doctors named the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Health Minister and the Federal Government as the first, second and third respondents, respectively. The suit is set for case management at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 22. A three-month grace period from May 1 was previously announced, where no compounds would be issued and the government would instead focus on advocacy and education. As for the enforcement of the display rule, Dzulkefly said the ministry would continue with educational enforcement and advocacy for the time being. However, he did not specify the duration of the advocacy period before those flouting the rule would be penalised. On a separate matter, Dzulkefly said a thorough study was needed before any decision is made to list etomidate as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The substance, he said, was already listed under Second Part of the Poisons Act under Category B as 'intravenous sedatives and anaesthesia' used in clinical practice. He said although a death was reported in Singapore related to the abuse of the substance, he said any move to list it as a dangerous drug must be evidence-based and not merely a reactive response. Dzulkefly was responding to a proposal made by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii to list etomidate as a dangerous drug following reports of it causing deaths in Singapore. In the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, Yii said etomidate was being misused as a recreational substance in vape products, often marketed as Kpods. Its misuse, he said, could result in death due to severe respiratory distress, sudden unconsciousness, injury and adrenal crisis. It was reported that Singapore was working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was recently reported to have said random tests found in one-third out of 100 vape devices seized were found to contain etomidate.
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Price labelling rule stays: MoH prioritises education over penalties
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MoH) will continue focusing on education and awareness in enforcing the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Medicine Price Labelling) Order 2025, despite a pending judicial review application challenging the regulation. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry respected the legal process but was committed to ensuring smooth implementation of the order through educational enforcement. "We will continue with this approach to avoid enforcement gaps while the court process is ongoing," he told reporters after officiating the 2025 National Health Technology Assessment Conference and the 30th anniversary of the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS) here today. The regulation, which came into force on May 1, mandates all private clinics and community pharmacies to display medicine prices on shelves, in catalogues or on written price lists, under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Medicine Price Labelling) Order 2025. Dzulkefly was responding to reports that the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and seven other organisations have applied for leave to initiate a judicial review of the order. Among the applicants are the Sabah Private Practitioners Association (APPS), the Malaysian Association for the Advancement of Functional and Interdisciplinary Medicine (MAAFIM), the Malaysian Muslim Doctors Association (PERDIM), and the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM). On May 4, Dzulkefly had clarified that no fines or compounds would be issued during the first three months of enforcement, as the ministry's priority was on stakeholder education. As of now, neither MoH nor the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has announced an extension to the grace period, which ends tomorrow (July 31). – BERNAMA
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
MOH prioritises education in medicine price display enforcement amid legal challenge
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health (MOH) remains committed to an educational approach in enforcing the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Medicine Price Labelling) Order 2025, even as a judicial review application challenges the regulation. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasized that while the ministry respects the legal process, it will proceed with awareness initiatives to avoid gaps in enforcement. 'We will continue with this approach to avoid enforcement gaps while the court process is ongoing,' he said after officiating the 2025 National Health Technology Assessment Conference and the 30th anniversary of the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS). The regulation, effective since May 1, requires private clinics and community pharmacies to display medicine prices on shelves, in catalogues, or through written price lists. The move aims to enhance transparency and prevent profiteering in the healthcare sector. Dr Dzulkefly addressed reports that the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and seven other organisations, including the Sabah Private Practitioners Association (APPS) and the Malaysian Muslim Doctors Association (PERDIM), have sought leave for a judicial review. On May 4, the minister clarified that no fines or penalties would be imposed during the initial three-month grace period, prioritizing stakeholder education instead. With the grace period ending on July 31, neither MOH nor the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has announced an extension. - Bernama
