THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has voiced strong opposition to the application of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) to the medical profession, saying it is inappropriate for regulating healthcare services.
While supporting the government’s goal of improving transparency in medicine pricing, MMA president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said such efforts should be governed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), which already exists to regulate medical practices.
“Private healthcare facilities are not retail shops. Doctors treat patients, not customers,” he told Harian Metro.
“Patients don’t come to clinics to shop for medicines, but to seek treatment from trained healthcare professionals for their medical conditions. They also always have the choice to get their medication elsewhere after consulting with a doctor.”
Dr Kalwinder warned that enforcing mandatory medicine price displays under Act 723 would increase administrative burdens, particularly on small private clinics.
“Keeping prices updated regularly will require extra staff, which in turn increases operating costs,” he said. “Distributors determine medicine prices, and there are many suppliers offering various types of medicines with different price structures.”
He noted that price differences between clinics occur because pharmaceutical distributors do not offer uniform prices, and purchasing quantities vary. Smaller clinics typically do not order in bulk due to short shelf lives of medicines, making it impractical to pursue large discounts.
“These are among the reasons why MMA and other stakeholders have asked for dialogue with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) before implementing the price display policy.”
MMA and other medical associations have submitted queries and requested clarity on the implementation of the new regulation, but have yet to receive a response from the relevant ministries, he added.
The association recently submitted a notice to the police regarding plans to hold a peaceful protest this Tuesday against the new rule requiring private clinics and community pharmacies to display medicine prices. Putrajaya District Police confirmed receipt of the notice and are currently reviewing the application.
The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) order, which mandates that private healthcare providers display medicine prices, came into effect on May 1.
The order under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act was signed by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali. Individual healthcare providers who fail to comply with the provisions of the order will be subjected to a fine of up to RM50,000.
People laud policy for healthcare providers to display medicine prices
Public sentiment, however, appears to strongly favour the government’s initiative. A majority of netizens polled on Sinar Harian’s social media channels backed the policy, which came into effect on Thursday.
Poll results showed 88 per cent of Facebook respondents supported the new policy, while 96 per cent on Instagram and 92 per cent on X (formerly Twitter) also voted in favour.
Associate Professor Dr Haliza Abdul Rahman, an environmental governance expert at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said the policy particularly benefits low-income groups by helping consumers make informed choices.
“By displaying prices, patients can plan ahead and won’t feel pressured if they can’t afford certain medicines. It gives them the power to choose based on both price and content,” she said.
The new regulation, known as the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Medicine Price Labelling) Order 2025, falls under Act 723 and applies to all private healthcare facilities regulated under Act 586, as well as community pharmacies that sell or supply medicines to the public. - May 3, 2025
