Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is currently evaluating a proposal from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) to introduce the Medicine Price Display initiative under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586). This proposal, which is part of a memorandum submitted by the MMA, has gained the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has requested the MOH to assess its viability.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister has urged Datuk Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, the Minister of Health, to give careful consideration to the memorandum. Dr Dzulkefly acknowledged the matter’s importance and has instructed the MOH’s top leadership to explore options for addressing the request. The ministry is tasked with examining the feasibility of incorporating the medicine price display requirement under Act 586, an act that falls within its jurisdiction.
Dr Dzulkefly emphasized the MOH’s commitment to being responsive and open to constructive suggestions aimed at enhancing the nation’s healthcare system. This comes in response to the MMA’s call on Tuesday for the government to reassess the application of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) in the medical sector. This act mandates private clinics and pharmacies to display medicine prices, a regulation that became effective earlier this month.
The MMA, in its memorandum, expressed its full support for transparency in drug pricing but advocated for this initiative to be implemented through Act 586 instead. The current regulation on price display, which took effect on May 1, is detailed under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) Order 2025, issued under Act 723. This regulation applies to all medicines for human use, including controlled medicines, over-the-counter drugs, traditional products, health supplements, and extemporaneous preparations, covering both prescription and non-prescription drugs.
In a related development, Dr Dzulkefly announced that the MOH is finalizing a review of consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs). This review is expected to be presented to the Cabinet by the end of the month. On May 3, Dr Dzulkefly assured that the review would be completed within a month.