The government will fully enforce the rule mandating the display of drug prices at private healthcare facilities from January 2026, the High Court here was told today.
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that currently, the government is still “educating” clinics on the price display rule.
“During this period, warning letters will be issued (to clinics) for non-compliance,” he said in his affidavit to a judicial review application against him and the domestic trade and cost of living minister (Armizan Mohd Ali).
Last month, seven health groups and a doctor applied for leave for a judicial review to quash the government’s decision to require them to display drug prices at their premises.
They contend that Section 10 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (Act 723) cannot apply to drugs administered by health practitioners, which is provided for by Section 19 of the Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366).
They also argued that clinics operated by registered health practitioners cannot be considered to be supplying “goods and services” under Section 10 of Act 723.
Dzulkefly recounted the events that led to the government implementing this policy, saying that over the last 20 years, the public and even MPs had questioned why drug prices in private clinics were expensive.
He said the government undertook studies comparing drug prices in Malaysia with other countries, and also met stakeholders to obtain their feedback.
“A public consultation was done last year, and most of the stakeholders agreed to a proposal on price display.
“From their feedback, this proposal is the most effective method in ensuring price transparency and for the public (or patients) to make well-informed decisions,” he said.
The court fixed Sept 4 for case management.
