The protest rally by private general practitioners (GP) against the implementation of the price display rule and decades of stagnant consultation fees will proceed as planned on May 6 in Putrajaya, says the Malaysian Medical Association.
The MMA private GP’s group chairman, Dr Parmjit Singh Kuldip Singh, said the rally will conclude with a march to the Prime Minister’s Office to hand over a memorandum.
He added that the relevant authorities, including the police, have been officially informed about the gathering on Tuesday.
“The symbolic walk is to voice the medical fraternity’s deep disappointment and frustration over the many unanswered questions regarding the implementation of medicine price display and the unresolved issue of stagnant private GP consultation fees.
“We wish to reiterate that doctors are not against price transparency but are strongly opposed to the use of Act 723 on the medical profession,” he said in a statement today, referring to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 under the domestic trade and cost of living ministry.
Yesterday, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry would not prevent GPs from taking part in the planned march.
However, he hoped that the doctors would understand that he and the ministry had been fighting on their behalf for the GPs’ fee review.
The MMA had criticised Putrajaya for going ahead with the enforcement of the mandatory drug price display rule, and particularly for failing to consult GPs and implementing the policy under a non-health related law.
They argue that the rule should fall under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and be delayed until the GPs’ consultation fees has been reviewed as promised.
Yesterday, Dzulkefly said the review of the GPs’ consultation fees would be finalised by next month, with a Cabinet memorandum and circular expected to be tabled soon.
Consultation fees have remained unchanged in the last 30 years.
On April 30, Dzulkefly and domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali had announced that the mandatory price labelling for private healthcare providers would take effect on May 1.
