THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has expressed concern over the government’s recent announcement to mandate the display of medication prices in private healthcare facilities in 2025, saying the policy could have serious, unintended consequences for private general practitioners (GP) clinics.
Calling the approach “unpractical”, its president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said GP clinics provide professional healthcare services, not retail transactions, and the move to display a full list of medication prices at the counter would be administratively burdensome and significantly increase operational costs.
He said these added costs, alongside the stagnant GP fee schedule and steadily rising expenses, would strain clinic operations and may even lead to closures, ultimately reducing patients’ access to essential healthcare.
Furthermore, turning clinics into retail-like spaces risks eroding the quality of the doctor-patient relationship, shifting focus from healthcare to price comparisons.
“GP clinics have long relied on modest margins from medication sales to manage operational costs and keep services affordable. This policy affects that balance, making it increasingly difficult for clinics to remain viable,” Dr Kalwinder remarked.
“The MMA urges the government to address the practical challenges and consequences of such policies and to prioritize the strengthening of primary care.
“We urge for a thorough review and update of the GP fee schedule, an issue which has been brought up by MMA many times before as the consultation fee has remained stagnant for the last two decades.”
The association went on to call for the immediate regulation of Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), an issue that has seen inaction since the 1990s and has had an increasing effect on GP practice over the years.
“With over 12,000 GP clinics nationwide, it is crucial that policies support these essential community healthcare providers, enabling them to continue serving as the first line of care for millions across the country,” he added. – Nov 13, 2024
