KUALA LUMPUR: From Aug 1, private clinics and pharmacies will have to provide itemised bills for every consultation and medical charges, in addition to issuing prescriptions for and displaying medicine prices at their premises, says Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh.
In May, the Health Ministry said private clinics must provide itemised billing for patients upon request. This must be done without additional charges to allow patients to understand the details of services provided as well as charges for treatment and medicine.
These measures, introduced by the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL), require private medical clinics to issue prescriptions for every consultation, allowing patients the choice of purchasing medication from the clinic or a pharmacy of their preference.
"Clinics cannot compel patients to buy medicine directly from them. Patients must be clearly informed that they have the option to obtain their medication elsewhere," Fuziah stated during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Aug 6).
Fuziah was addressing a query from Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Syed Abdul Fasal regarding the outcomes of NACCOL meetings this year.
She noted that NACCOL had convened twice in 2025, along with one Executive Committee meeting, making key decisions on healthcare cost transparency and household spending.
As part of NACCOL’s efforts to empower consumers and ensure transparency, clinics will also be required to issue detailed itemised bills, including a breakdown of consultation fees and medication charges.
On Sunday (Aug 3), the Health Ministry announced that warning letters may be issued to non-compliant private clinics and pharmacies regarding the mandatory medicine price display rule, with compound notices to follow from Oct 1. Full enforcement will commence on Jan 1, 2026.
The price display initiative in private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies began on May 1, 2025, as a strategic collaboration between the Health Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, aimed at improving transparency and consumer choice in healthcare.
During the initial three-month educational phase, ending on July 31, a total of 842 premises—including private medical and dental clinics, hospitals, and community pharmacies—were inspected, with 57% satisfactorily complying with the price display requirements.
From Aug 1 to Sept 30, the enforcement phase will continue through education, advocacy, and inspections before penalties are imposed.
