Consult all stakeholders before acting

THE Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia (MPCAM) echoes the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) stand that privately-owned clinics could close shop if controls on drug prices come into effect, ignoring the harmonisation of the fee schedule of private general pratitioners.

The MPCAM is concerned that the Cabinet rejected the proposal to harmonise the General Practitioner Fee schedule with that of Medical Officers in private medical centres which was inadvertently left out of the Private Health Care Facilities and Services Act 2006.

The MPCAM has always maintained that prices of drugs should be controlled and this should be done in tandem with the harmonisation of the fee schedule of private medical clinics, which was last done about two decades ago.

The MPCAM is concerned that it was not invited to partake in discussions leading to this development and urges the Cabinet to review its decision. The MPCAM further reiterates that any decision on dispensing separation must only come with the introduction of the National Health Finacing Scheme. Till the time comes, doctors will continue to examine, treat, prescribe and dispense medication while pharmacists will dispense medication prescribed by doctors.

The MPCAM urges the Health Ministry to engage all stakeholders before it enacts drug price controls as it could severely impact the nation’s healthcare delivery.

DR RAJ KUMAR MAHARAJAH

Medical Practitioners Coalition Association Of Malaysia (MPCAM)