Putrajaya was rocked by a protest on Tuesday when more than 300 doctors in black gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office to protest the enforcement of Act 723 - a new law that requires private clinics to display drug prices openly, with fines of up to RM100,000 for those who fail to do so.
Although the government defends it on the basis of price transparency, many doctors see it as a threat to the survival of the private health sector, which risks causing private clinics to close and the people to bear the consequences.
If this sector continues to be affected, the people's health could become even more stressed.
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According to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), doctors actually support the price transparency effort but not the method that will be used.
For them, the implementation of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) is an act designed for business entities such as supermarkets and pharmacies, not for professional services such as medical clinics.
MMA and 15 other medical associations are proposing that the government use Act 586, an existing law specifically designed to regulate private clinics and hospitals, to ensure that the implementation of the policy is more accurate, relevant and does not disrupt the existing treatment system.
Incoming MMA President Datuk Dr R. Thirunavukarasu stressed that the implementation of this act may encourage more doctors to leave the private sector.
If the number of private clinics continues to decrease, the people risk facing longer waiting times, higher treatment costs, and an increasingly burdened public health system.
