Kuala Lumpur: The order requiring private clinics and hospitals to display medicine prices, which takes effect today, has been well-received by consumers who view it as a significant step towards ensuring transparency in healthcare services.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative is empowering consumers by allowing them to make purchasing decisions based on clear price information, aligning with the principle of consumer rights. Norsyaliza Rosli, a 48-year-old civil servant from Kedah, praised the move, highlighting that it enables consumers to compare prices before purchasing medicines, thereby preventing exploitation by those looking to make undue profits.
Mohd Yasin Zamri, a 67-year-old retiree from Pendang, echoed this sentiment, noting that the initiative would assist financially constrained individuals like him in making informed choices at pharmacies. He emphasized the importance of knowing actual medicine prices to prevent price manipulation.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living announced in a joint statement that the Medicine Price Labelling Initiative at private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies is part of the MADANI Government’s effort to promote price transparency through the Medicine Price Transparency Mechanism (MKHU).
The initiative aims to empower consumers with the knowledge to compare and select the best prices, aiding in efficient medication expense planning. Asrina Kartini Sulaiman, a 47-year-old civil servant in Sarawak, believes the MHKU empowers low-income consumers by providing them with the ability to choose affordable options amidst rising medicine costs.
Khairuddin Yunus, chairman of the Negeri Sembilan Consumers Association, commended the initiative, stating it allows consumers to decide whether to purchase medicines from clinics or opt for pharmacies offering lower prices.
Some pharmacists, like Siti Sarah Romli from Taman Ara Jaya Azam Pharmacy in Penang, had already begun displaying prices earlier this year. She noted that the pharmacy had implemented the initiative since February, making medicine prices accessible via a tablet for customers. Siti Sarah welcomes the move and hopes for further discussions with private pharmacies to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome.