PETALING JAYA: Pharmacists advise patients to purchase prescribed medicines from community pharmacies to save on healthcare costs.
They emphasise that patients have the right to choose where to buy their medicines, whether from private healthcare facilities or community pharmacies.
ALSO READ: Pricey private healthcare has patients looking for cheaper options
On Nov 13, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad urged private healthcare facilities to control rising healthcare costs.
Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) President Amrahi Buang stressed that patients should be informed about the prices of their medicines.
Amrahi stated that patients must make informed choices and receive proper advice from community pharmacists.
He highlighted the need for displayed pricing to allow consumers to compare and prioritise reasonable pricing and professionalism.
Amrahi also called for the sale of only registered medicines from the Health Ministry.
ALSO READ: Healthcare costs rise beyond just medication
He recommended getting prescriptions from private clinics and purchasing medicines from community pharmacies for better affordability.
However, Amrahi reminded that doctors are not pharmacists and vice versa.
A pharmacist from Kedah, wishing to remain anonymous, noted that pharmacists cannot change prescribed brands without consulting the doctor.
Further transparency in medicine prices is needed to ensure the private healthcare sector remains sustainable.
Another anonymous pharmacist suggested an app for real-time medicine price comparison in healthcare facilities and community pharmacies.
He cited the Malaysian National Medicine Policy (DUNas) 2012, which advocates for affordable and transparent medicine pricing.
The pharmacist warned about potential price wars and the need for standardised pricing to benefit patients.
He explained the complexities of cost pricing involving manufacturers, profit margins, and rebates.
Some manufacturers enforce price controls to ensure consistent pricing across sellers.
