KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): Starting Thursday (May 1), all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies will be required to display medicine prices. This move aimed at improving transparency and consumer choice.

According to a joint statement by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), facilities involved include all private healthcare facilities governed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 [Act 586] that sell, supply, or administer medicines, as well as community pharmacies.

The scope of price labelling includes all medicines for human use, whether prescription or non-prescription, over-the-counter medications, traditional medicines, health supplements, and extemporaneously prepared products. This will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Medicine Price Labelling) Order 2025, under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 [Act 723].

“Medicine prices must be displayed either as a price list or with price tags. Medicines that are on display and accessible to consumers must carry visible labels, tags, or price markings. For medicines that are not on display or are stored behind counters (inaccessible or not visible to consumers), the prices must be shown in the form of a price list. This list may be presented physically at the healthcare facility — for example, in a catalogue, on a notice board, or on an electronic screen,” said the statement.

The enforcement of medicine price labelling will be carried out by MOH, with guidance and cooperation from KPDN. Inspections will be conducted periodically with an advocacy-based approach to ensure compliance.

“During the initial monitoring and enforcement phase, a three-month educational enforcement approach will be adopted to ensure enforcement is carried out wisely, allowing private healthcare facilities to gradually adapt and implement the necessary changes,” said the statement.

The statement follows the gazettement of the 2025 price control order, which will take effect on Thursday. Under the order — signed by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali — individual healthcare providers who fail to comply may be fined up to RM50,000, while corporate bodies could face penalties of up to RM100,000.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat last November that the price display policy is part of the government’s efforts to address rising medical inflation.

Despite concerns raised by industry stakeholders, including the Malaysian Medical Association, over potential administrative burdens, higher operating costs, and adverse impacts on private general practitioners, he stressed that the measure would also help verify charges in insurance claims and prevent arbitrary increases in medication prices.

In 2024, Malaysia’s medical inflation surged to a new high of 15%, surpassing the global average of 10% and the Asia Pacific average of 11%, according to Bank Negara Malaysia’s report.