PUTRAJAYA: Private sector doctors have demanded Putrajaya not to place the new medicine price display mandate under the purview of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s jurisdiction.
According to them, the doctors are not against the new price display mechanism, but they are against using the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) on the medical profession.
This was because private clinics are already strictly regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president-elect Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said doctors are considered professional services and they should not be governed under Act 723.
“Don’t compare grocery stores with professional services,” said Dr Thirunavukarasu.
Dr Thirunavukarasu said MMA supports transparency in the healthcare sector, and they are asking the government to intervene in the matter.
“We need support from the Cabinet and also the Prime Minister to ensure that this is done,” he said, adding that Act 723 is more suitable to regulate retail businesses.
Dr Thirunavukarasu also said general practitioner (GP) fees have been stagnant for many years, and they are seeking the government’s intervention on the matter.
“We always know the fee is a political issue, and that is why we are seeking support from the entire Cabinet.
“We believe that the government will consider that because they are talking about inflation and they must make sure primary care, delivered through over 12,000 clinics in Malaysia, is sustainable,” he said.
According to the memorandum submitted to the PMO, it called for the revision of private GP fees as it has remained unchanged over the last 33 years.
The group also urged Putrajaya to regulate Third-Party Administrators (TPA), as these entities, which act as intermediaries between insurers and GPs, often charge high administration fees on clinics, delays on claims, low consultation fees, and among others.
The group also wants the government to look into the rise of foreign equity in the healthcare sector.
Among the 15 medical associations that joined the protest were MMA, the Federation of Private Medical Associations Malaysia, the Interdisciplinary Medicine and the Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners Association, among others.
The protest, which began at around 9am, had ended at about Tuesday (May 6) noon.
