A PHARMACIST group today criticised the Government for requiring pharmacists to get International Trade and Industries Ministry’s (Miti) approval to operate, despite serving under the healthcare sector.
“We have received complaints from pharmacists and its area committees on the recent requirement of applying CIMS/Miti approval letters for the community pharmacy workforce to travel to work.
“Community pharmacists are front-liners who see patients daily and remained open to serve the public for their various health needs since the first movement control order last year.
“We are governed under the Registration of Pharmacy Act (Act 371) and the Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366), under the purview of the Health Ministry (MOH) and don’t need CIMS/Miti approval letters prior to this latest requirement,” Malaysian Pharmacists Society Amrahi Buang told FocusM.
Miti has come under fire by the public and leaders from both sides of the aisle for exempting over 95,000 businesses from closure during the total lockdown.
It was reported that some legal firms and even photo studios were allowed to operate but Miti had since said it would probe the matter.
On that note, Amrahi said that the matter was not an isolated incident as his organisation had received complaints from pharmacists in Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis.
“Pharmacists in Penang said that many of them are not able to print the required approval, as they were unable to login into the system despite trying numerous times.
“Johor pharmacists claimed that authorities are coming to their premises, harassing them and demanding for the Miti letter. They are also facing problems such as the system showing errors and not being able to populate the required data,” he mentioned.
Blanket approval to healthcare sector
Making matters worse, Amrahi said the police now announced that they would accept approval letters from any ministry, adding that MOH does not issue such letters for community pharmacists.
“To make things easy, we urge the Government to provide a blanket approval for all healthcare professionals and their workforce from the private sector.
“If the police require documentation, they should allow the private sector healthcare workers to get their company letters signed at the nearest police station to show at roadblocks,” he quipped.
Amrahi stated that pharmacists have been steadfast in their service to the nation and the authorities should keep them open, instead of imposing unnecessary regulations.
“It’s incredulous that food stall operators have received official exemption from the Housing & Local Government Ministry to operate but community pharmacists that deal with patients’ lives have not.
“In addition, attempts by community pharmacists to apply and comply has failed repeatedly,” he remarked. – June 3, 2021.
