But the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) has questioned the practice, citing a law that requires medical services, including phlebotomy, to be conducted within licensed healthcare facilities such as clinics, hospitals or approved laboratories.
The Health Ministry said operators of premises providing blood collection or phlebotomy services without a licence could be fined up to RM500,000, jailed for six years, or both.
Malaysian Pharmacists Society president Amrahi Buang said pharmacy regulations and Health Ministry standards support community pharmacists in providing basic health screening services within their professional scope. These services, he added, are screening, wellness support, counselling and referral – not diagnosis or treatment.
He said the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act recognises pharmacies within the broader definition of “healthcare services”, but community pharmacies are not registered as medical or dental clinics. Blood-taking or phlebotomy services must comply with the ministry’s registration or licensing requirements where applicable.
Amrahi said what is allowed within community pharmacy practice includes finger-prick tests for screening, as the test is considered a wellness service, not a diagnosis.
“The public should distinguish between pharmacy-based screening, laboratory testing and medical diagnosis. Finger-prick point-of-care tests may be provided as screening or wellness services, subject to appropriate procedures, infection control, documentation and referral pathways,” he said.
He also said that where venous blood samples are involved, some pharmacies may facilitate blood testing services, but such tests must not be treated as routine pharmacy screening alone. Venous blood collection should only be performed by qualified personnel under proper laboratory arrangements, with consent and specimen-handling protocols in place.
“Where laboratory testing is involved, the pharmacy should have a documented arrangement with an appropriately licensed or approved laboratory service. For blood-taking, pharmacies must also ensure that the premises and service comply with requirements,” he said.
He reiterated that pharmacies are not clinics and do not have the authority to diagnose diseases. Pharmacists cannot provide definitive clinical interpretation beyond their professional scope.
“If readings are abnormal, they should refer the patient to a doctor for further assessment. The role of community pharmacy is early detection – not replacing doctors or laboratories,” he said.
On April 24, FPMPAM president Dr Shanmuganathan TV Ganeson spoke out against the practice of drawing blood in retail pharmacies during health screening promotions.
“Retail pharmacy premises are not licensed healthcare facilities for invasive procedures,” he said. In clinics, he said staff are trained to handle complications, including fainting during blood taking, particularly among elderly patients.
