The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has clarified that while the medical community supports greater transparency in medicine pricing, it strongly objects to the enforcement of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) in its implementation.
This clarification comes ahead of a planned protest scheduled for Tuesday. The symbolic march will begin at the Ministry of Health and proceed to the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.
Chairman of the MMA’s Private Practitioners Section (PPS), Datuk Dr Parmjit Singh Kuldip Singh, emphasized that the protest is not about opposing transparency, but rather the government's decision to apply a non-health-specific legal framework to regulate medical professionals.
“This march represents the frustration of a profession that has been sidelined,” said Dr Parmjit. “Doctors are not against displaying medicine prices, but using Act 723, which is not tailored to the complexities of medical care, is both inappropriate and disrespectful to the profession.”
He also highlighted that the protest will raise other long-standing concerns, particularly the stagnation of private general practitioners' consultation fees, which have remained unchanged since 1992 despite rising operational costs and inflation.
Unless objections are raised, Dr Parmjit confirmed that the protest will proceed as planned. He added that all necessary documentation has already been submitted to the relevant authorities to ensure a peaceful and lawful gathering.
