Latest news with #PriceMarkingforDrug)Order2025
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.
The Star
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Medicine price display rule to proceed despite judicial review, says Health Minister
PUTRAJAYA: The implementation of the medicine price display rule will go ahead on Aug 1, despite a judicial review filed by doctors to challenge the order, says Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister stated that although doctors want the rule, which took effect on May 1, revoked due to its impact on small clinics and lack of proper consultation, the implementation will proceed. "We are aware of the application for the judicial review. Nevertheless, the implementation of the order will proceed," he told reporters at a press conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment (NHTA) Conference 2025 here on Wednesday (July 30). He was asked to comment on the judicial review filed by 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 judicial review is in relation to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025, which came into effect on May 1. 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. A three-month grace period from May 1 has been given, during which no compounds would be issued, and the government would instead focus on advocacy and education. According to the court's website, the suit, filed on July 24, is set for case management at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 22. The statement of claim filed on July 24 seeks a declaration that the ministry's order was void and tainted with illegality, irrationality, unreasonableness, disproportionality, and impropriety. The plaintiffs requested 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 concluded. They argued that the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister breached principles of natural justice by making the decision without consulting registered medical practitioners represented by the MMA. The group stated that while the regulation aims to curb profiteering, it has led to unwarranted competition among drug providers, focusing solely on drug prices. Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry will allow the law to take its course with regard to the legal suit naming him. "I have no problems with it. Let the judicial process take its course. We have to respect this process," he added. Regarding enforcement of the ruling, Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry will 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.
Daily Express
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Sabah docs back protest
Published on: Thursday, May 08, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 08, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: GP doctors protesting in Putrajaya on Tuesday. Kota Kinabalu: Some private medical practitioners here threw in their support for fellow GPs who took time off to stage a protest for the first time, Tuesday, against gazetting the drug price display order under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723). Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS) President Dr Devadas Ramankutty was among those who signed the petition. The ruling that came into effect May 1, put them in the same class of product retailers and expose them to checks by Domestic Trade and Cost enforcement officers. 'While the medical associations fully support the principle of transparency in medicine pricing, we strongly object to how the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025 is being enforced on private clinics under Act 723 without consultation and engagement with the affected medical fraternity, especially GPs,' 11 medical groups said in a joint memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister's Office. Some of the placards compared the price of fish (RM16/kg) and chicken (RM10.30) to the 'priceless' value of getting cured of illness, as well as the 80 per cent rise in the price of a packet of nasi lemak since 2011 compared to GPs' consultation fees that have stagnated for 33 years at a maximum RM35. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
04-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Compliance with medicine price display order satisfactory, says Health Minister
Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad PUTRAJAYA (May 4): Compliance with the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025, which came into effect on May 1, has been satisfactory, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He reiterated that private healthcare facilities and pharmacies will not face fines or compounds during the initial three-month period if they fail to display medicine prices, as the Health Ministry is currently focusing on the education aspect. 'The three-month grace period is intended to give all quarters time to better understand the requirements and how to properly implement the price display measures. 'During visits to three pharmacies and private clinics yesterday, I was shown various methods being used, including via QR (quick response) codes,' he said at a media briefing session on the Lung Health Initiatives Malaysia 2025-2030 here today. Dzulkefly expressed hope that all private healthcare facilities would work together with the ministry to ensure the successful implementation of the order. 'I believe everyone will eventually be on board. We will also engage with general practitioners to assist with compliance,' he said. Under the order, all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies must clearly display the prices of medicines sold, either on shelves, in catalogues or in written price lists. Regarding the ban on vape product sales in Terengganu, Dzulkefly welcomed the move, saying that the ministry would continue to strengthen the enforcement and regulation of electronic cigarettes and vape products under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. The media previously reported that the Terengganu government will enforce the statewide ban on vape product sales starting Aug 1. State Local Government, Housing and Health Committee chairman Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah said the move is a proactive step to curb the sale and use of vape products, which pose health risks, especially to the younger generation. – Bernama display Health Ministry medicine order price
Malay Mail
04-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Compliance with medicine price display order satisfactory, says health minister
PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Compliance with the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drug) Order 2025, which came into effect on May 1, has been satisfactory, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He reiterated that private healthcare facilities and pharmacies will not face fines or compounds during the initial three-month period if they fail to display medicine prices, as the Health Ministry is currently focusing on the education aspect. 'The three-month grace period is intended to give all quarters time to better understand the requirements and how to properly implement the price display measures. 'During visits to three pharmacies and private clinics yesterday, I was shown various methods being used, including via QR (quick response) codes,' he said at a media briefing session on the Lung Health Initiatives Malaysia 2025-2030 here today. Dzulkefly expressed hope that all private healthcare facilities would work together with the ministry to ensure the successful implementation of the order. 'I believe everyone will eventually be on board. We will also engage with general practitioners to assist with compliance,' he said. Under the order, all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies must clearly display the prices of medicines sold, either on shelves, in catalogues or in written price lists. Regarding the ban on vape product sales in Terengganu, Dzulkefly welcomed the move, saying that the ministry would continue to strengthen the enforcement and regulation of electronic cigarettes and vape products under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. The media previously reported that the Terengganu government will enforce the statewide ban on vape product sales starting Aug 1. State Local Government, Housing and Health Committee chairman Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah said the move is a proactive step to curb the sale and use of vape products, which pose health risks, especially to the younger generation. — Bernama
