Don’t compare grocers with health services, say doctors in protest
PUTRAJAYA: Mostly clad in black, hundreds of doctors gathered here to protest a new rule requiring private healthcare facilities to display the prices of medicine.
They were seen holding placards that read “We will not be silenced”, “Healthcare workers are undervalued”, and “Unfair fees and policies keep current and future doctors away”.
The doctors, some of whom had even travelled from Perak, gathered here from 9am and intended to march from the Health Ministry to the Prime Minister’s Office.
However, it was changed to a gathering behind the PMO at the last minute.
The protest ended at about noon.
The doctors have said they are not against the new price display mechanism but do not want the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) used on the medical profession.
This was because private clinics are already strictly regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586).
Act 723 is typically applied to retailers and grocers, and doctors, as professionals, ought not to be subjected to it, stated Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president-elect Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo.
“Don’t compare grocery stores with professional services,” he said.
Dr Thirunavukarasu said MMA supports transparency in the healthcare sector and was seeking support from the Cabinet and the Prime Minister.
He said general practitioner fees have been stagnant for many years and they are seeking the government’s intervention on the matter.
“We know the fee is a political issue. That is why we are seeking support from the entire Cabinet.
“They are talking about inflation, and they must make sure primary care, delivered through over 12,000 clinics in Malaysia, is sustainable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad assured that every demand outlined in the memorandum would be thoroughly reviewed.
“I will certainly get their memorandum. I will study every one of their requests,” he told reporters at an event yesterday, Bernama reported.
Among the 15 medical associations that joined the protest were MMA, the Federation of Private Medical Associations Malaysia, Interdisciplinary Medicine and the Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners Association.
The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) order, which mandates that private healthcare providers display medicine prices, has been gazetted.
The order was signed by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali.
Individual healthcare providers who fail to comply face a fine of up to RM50,000. Corporate bodies are liable to a fine of up to RM100,000.
According to the order, drugs that are visible to customers and kept on display must have a price tag.
For those that are kept behind the counter or not visible to customers, a price list must be prepared.
The price list should contain information such as the generic name or active ingredient of the drug, strength, trade name and the selling price per unit, per unit weight or the measure of the drug.
The price list would have to be displayed in a physical form, such as through electronic media, electronic screens and any suitable tools and devices customers can access.
