Kuala Lumpur: The Health Ministry (MOH) is set to issue a new circular enabling Assistant Medical Officers (PPP) to prescribe basic medications for common ailments. This initiative is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to acknowledge and enhance the role of PPPs within the healthcare system, as announced by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly emphasized the significance of this development, particularly for PPPs operating in remote regions such as Sabah and Sarawak. In these areas, some medical officers work without direct supervision from doctors, making their role in community clinics critical for saving lives. The new directive will allow PPPs to prescribe medications for specific common health issues, including fever, cough, phlegm, and diarrhoea, as long as their job scope involves patient treatment.

Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan added that the exact implementation date for this policy is still being refined and will be confirmed before the circular is officially released.

In a separate matter, Dr Dzulkefly addressed ongoing investigations into claims that private hospitals are overcharging insured patients compared to those who pay out of pocket for medical procedures. The review process is being conducted with a focus on data and evidence.

Furthermore, Dr Dzulkefly discussed the directive requiring private health facilities to display medicine prices. The execution of this directive will be delayed until May, following consultations with private general practitioners (GPs). He also committed to reassessing the consultation fees for GPs, noting that they have not been reviewed for an extended period.