Consumer advocates say it is the least the government could do to ensure transparency and protect patients from being overcharged.
Several associations said the policy, which came into effect yesterday under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, was a compromise on earlier plans by the health ministry to curb high drug prices.
They claimed that the original plans, which followed World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, involved placing price caps on single-source prescription medicines, but were dropped “due to severe opposition, largely by industry and some professional bodies”.
“This is the minimum that must be done by the government to ensure the carrying out of its mandate which includes promoting ethical and sustainable domestic trade while protecting consumer interests towards a better quality of life,” the groups said.
The joint statement was signed by leaders from the Consumers’ Association of Penang, Fomca, Teras Pengupayaan Melayu, RURAL Malaysia, and the Kuala Lumpur Consumer Safety Association.
The groups also noted that the rule does not regulate prices, but gives patients the power to make informed choices and avoid overpaying.
“With Malaysia’s medical inflation rate reaching 15%, well above regional and global averages, transparent pricing is a necessary first step towards curbing unjustified price hikes and protecting household budgets,” they said.
They also denied claims that the policy would hurt the income of doctors, saying it only applies to medicine pricing and not consultation fees or doctors’ earnings.
The Malaysian Medical Association and other medical groups opposed the policy from the start, saying it should fall under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and be delayed until a review of general practitioners’ consultation fees.
Consultation fees have remained unchanged for the last 30 years.
