PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) reminds doctors to ensure every prescription and facility operating under their name reflects their professional responsibility.
This comes amid reports of doctors allegedly leasing their credentials to aesthetic operators and prescribing potent weight-loss medications without proper supervision.
MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said the duty of care remains with the doctor and such practices, if proven, represent a grave breach of professional ethics and a violation of the duty of care owed to patients.
"Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) is tied to a doctor’s competence, clinical judgment, and accountability.
“When a clinic operates under a doctor’s name without genuine supervision, or when an LCP is effectively rented, responsibility does not disappear," he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 4).
Dr Thirunavukarasu said the responsibility is non-delegable and carries potential medico-legal consequences under existing laws and professional regulations.
He expressed concern over the inappropriate use of semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) as quick cosmetic solutions.
He said these medications, originally developed for diabetes and obesity management, require proper medical assessment, counselling, and follow-up.
Dr Thirunavukarasu pointed out that prescribing them without such oversight could expose patients to severe gastrointestinal symptoms, dehydration, and other complications while limiting access for patients who actually need it.
“Financial arrangements must never compromise clinical standards. This applies equally to physical clinics, aesthetic centres, and digital or telemedicine platforms. Medicine cannot become purely transactional,” he said.
He called on the public to exercise caution, advising patients to verify that their doctors are properly registered and that consultations include a full assessment and counselling.
“No injection or procedure is risk-free, and informed consent requires full disclosure of benefits, risks, and alternatives,” he said.
Dr Thirunavukarasu said MMA supports investigations and enforcement by relevant authorities where breaches are identified.
