CAP: Regulate medicine prices
Published: Dec 17, 2004 3:32 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) today urged the government to regulate the prices of medicine as the rate in Malaysia is many times higher than other countries.
The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) today urged the government to regulate the prices of medicine as the rate in Malaysia is many times higher than other countries.
"At present drug prices are left to market forces and manufacturers and distributors are free to set whatever prices they wish," said its president SM Mohamed Idris in a statement.
He added that the Health Ministry is probably facing strong resistance from doctors, 'drug companies' and others regarding this.
However, he noted that higher medicine prices burden local consumers.
He said the ministry could emulate the 71 countries which have successfully employed the essential drugs list concept.
This concept satisfies the needs of the majority of a country's population and allows efficient use of available resources. It operates through better stock management and competitive procurement depending on local requirements.
Urgent revision
CAP also called for an urgent revision of Malaysia's essential drug list from 800 to between 200 and 300 drugs only. This should serve as the foundation for pharmaceutical procurement, doctors' prescribing habits, training and information for health professional in drug usage.
Mohamed Idris said the ministry should make it compulsory for medical practitioners to follow standard treatment guidelines for most medical conditions.
He added that these guidelines could control the usage of medicines, thus reduce the abuse of expensive and strong medicines in cases where cheaper and equally effective drugs would suffice.
The usage of generic (non-patent) drugs should also be encouraged by general practitioners and the public.
The CAP president said the ministry could formulate a policy with preference to the lowest priced registered generic of each medicine.
However, he also added that there should be a legal license to introduce generic, which is one of the globally accepted methods in bringing down the medicine charges.
Malaysia has already successfully applied for this process by obtaining cheaper HIV drugs from India.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Idris said CAP has repeatedly proposed to the government to increase revenue within the healthcare system.
He suggested that the current RM1 charge for outpatient treatment at local hospitals could be increased to RM5.
This, he said, could easily rake in another RM100 million, which could go towards financing a more effective healthcare system.
"At present drug prices are left to market forces and manufacturers and distributors are free to set whatever prices they wish," said its president SM Mohamed Idris in a statement.
He added that the Health Ministry is probably facing strong resistance from doctors, 'drug companies' and others regarding this.
However, he noted that higher medicine prices burden local consumers.
He said the ministry could emulate the 71 countries which have successfully employed the essential drugs list concept.
This concept satisfies the needs of the majority of a country's population and allows efficient use of available resources. It operates through better stock management and competitive procurement depending on local requirements.
Urgent revision
CAP also called for an urgent revision of Malaysia's essential drug list from 800 to between 200 and 300 drugs only. This should serve as the foundation for pharmaceutical procurement, doctors' prescribing habits, training and information for health professional in drug usage.
Mohamed Idris said the ministry should make it compulsory for medical practitioners to follow standard treatment guidelines for most medical conditions. He added that these guidelines could control the usage of medicines, thus reduce the abuse of expensive and strong medicines in cases where cheaper and equally effective drugs would suffice.
The usage of generic (non-patent) drugs should also be encouraged by general practitioners and the public.
The CAP president said the ministry could formulate a policy with preference to the lowest priced registered generic of each medicine.
However, he also added that there should be a legal license to introduce generic, which is one of the globally accepted methods in bringing down the medicine charges.
Malaysia has already successfully applied for this process by obtaining cheaper HIV drugs from India.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Idris said CAP has repeatedly proposed to the government to increase revenue within the healthcare system.
He suggested that the current RM1 charge for outpatient treatment at local hospitals could be increased to RM5.
This, he said, could easily rake in another RM100 million, which could go towards financing a more effective healthcare system.
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