MPS urges development of national health financing system to address escalating healthcare costs

THE Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) strongly advocates for the development of a National Health Financing (NHF) system as an urgent priority to address escalating healthcare costs, enhance access and establish a sustainable healthcare model for all Malaysians. Such a system must ensure seamless interoperability between the public and private sectors, safeguarding the rakyat's freedom of choice while delivering improved healthcare outcomes.

Community pharmacies are integral to this vision. As the most accessible healthcare providers amongst the rakyat, they offer chronic disease management, preventive care and often serve as the first point of contact for many patients. The inclusion of pharmacy services under the NHF will not only reduce overcrowding in hospitals but also strengthen medication adherence and overall patient outcomes. A co-payment mechanism should be introduced to ensure the responsible utilisation of healthcare services while maintaining affordability for all segments of society.