Drug prices: GPs must empower public with informed choices using data
A consumer and family welfare body has urged general practitioners to collectively come up with a position paper (one that argues a specific stance) based on data, research and international best practices on the issue of pricing for medicine.
Malaysian Consumer and Family Economics Association (Macfea) exco Dr Nuradli Ridzwan Shah Mohd Dali said that as the frontline in the country’s healthcare system, general practitioners (GPs) should respond to the issue with a fact-based approach and scientific explanation.
A consumer and family welfare body has urged general practitioners to collectively come up with a position paper (one that argues a specific stance) based on data, research and international best practices on the issue of pricing for medicine.
Malaysian Consumer and Family Economics Association (Macfea) exco Dr Nuradli Ridzwan Shah Mohd Dali said that as the frontline in the country’s healthcare system, general practitioners (GPs) should respond to the issue with a fact-based approach and scientific explanation.
This approach, he said, would not only strengthen the position of GPs in the national health policy discourse but could also enhance the people’s trust in the private medical system.
“Any concerns regarding the implications of drug price disclosure, such as its impact on private clinic business model, variations in logistics and procurement costs and differences in drug formulations must be conveyed in a transparent and responsible manner, to convince the ministry and the public.
“Transparency in health costs is a crucial aspect in ensuring fairness to consumers,” he said in a statement today.
At the same time, Macfea also fully supports the government’s noble efforts to increase transparency of prices in the private medical sector, in line with the principles of accountability, integrity and social justice.
He said the move would not only help consumers make more informed choices but also reduce the risk of price manipulation and lack of transparency in treatment costs.
The government has mandated that private healthcare providers like clinics and community pharmacies display medicine prices (with visible tags) starting May 1, under the Medicine Price Transparency Mechanism.
Protecting consumer interests
In a related development, an NGO has recommended that the government implement the drug price transparency mechanism without delay to protect consumer interests.
Teras Pengupayaan Melayu president Azmi Abdul Hamid said the organisation welcomed the government’s commitment to execute the mechanism, which would help reduce the public’s burden amid rising living costs.
“The issue of drug price transparency has been delayed for too long. While the modern pharmaceutical industry has long played an undeniable role in maintaining fundamental healthcare standards for consumers, they have been unknowingly exploited by the industry to generate profits under the guise of consumer needs.
“The mechanism, postponed since 2018, functions to ensure control over drugs and declarations of drug prices by wholesalers.
“Due to this delay, drug prices at private clinics have become less transparent compared to community clinics and public clinics,” Azmi said in a statement today.
He noted this issue has contributed to Malaysia’s healthcare inflation rate exceeding the global average by 15 percent and the Asia-Pacific average by 10 percent over three consecutive years.
Implementing this mechanism for private clinics is essential to ensure drug price transparency in the market, control healthcare inflation, and empower consumer choice.
“Mandatory drug price displays at pharmacies and clinics are vital for price transparency, preventing price disparities between outlets, promoting healthy competition, protecting consumer rights, and facilitating monitoring and enforcement,” he emphasised.
- Bernama
