Latest news with #ShanmuganathanGaneson
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
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
GPs feeling financial strain
PETALING JAYA: Some general practitioners (GPs) may have to raise their fees if the issue of long-standing consultation fees are not resolved. Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said clinics have incurred regulatory charges following the medicine price display order, so patients may notice some adjustments in their clinic bills. 'These changes reflect operational realities – rising costs for staffing, utilities, compliance with regulations and supplies – that have been absorbed by clinics for many years. This is not about introducing a new charge but rather making existing components more transparent. 'Some GPs are reviewing how best to structure their billing, guided by their respective state associations,' he added. A fee hike, he said, would depend largely on the revisions made to the consultation fees. 'Currently, an announcement from the Health Ministry on an updated Schedule 7 GP consultation fee is awaited. We hope for a fair update to help clinics remain sustainable,' he added. 'If the fee change is good, I think most will forgo these additional, though essential, charges.' He said GPs will likely maintain their charges if the revised consultation fee is good unless they incur high rental or overhead costs. CLICK TO ENLARGE At least three GPs surveyed by The Star expressed intention to raise fees by factoring in costs. A GP in Penang, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he is considering imposing service charges to cover costs. 'There are talks among practitioners in the state about introducing new fees. I am also considering it. It could be a service fee or facility fee; we'll see how it goes. The government should really look at providing us with a comfortable rate for consultation fees,' he said. Another GP, based in Kuala Lumpur, has started charging an extra RM10. 'I have to factor in the cost of putting up screens for the price display. But if this is not addressed soon, I am sure more GPs will have to raise their fees,' he said. Former president of the Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said officially, there are no talks on imposing new fees, but there have been 'some rumblings on the ground by GPs who feel the noose is getting tighter around their necks as costs of living have gone up'. This has made it difficult for these clinics to sustain, especially in bigger towns, he said. 'GP practices in Malaysia have been around since pre-independence days and we have always provided accessible and affordable treatment to our patients. 'You will never find this kind of unique treatment facility anywhere in the world,' he added. Previously, doctors' groups had called for the consultation fees, which have stagnated at RM35 since 1992, to be revised to RM50-RM60. CodeBlue quoted the Penang Medical Practitioners Society as saying the group would meet in one or two weeks to set the range of a new service fee it plans to recommend for private general practitioners and specialist clinics run by solo practitioners in the state. The Malaysian Pharmacists Society had also called for dispensing and professional fees for pharmacists. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on May 4 that the issue is expected to be resolved soon. 'I have prepared the documents, so I expect to resolve this within one month at the latest,' he was quoted as saying. The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) order, which mandates private healthcare players to display medicine prices, came into effect on May 1.
