Saying ‘no’ to dispensing separation

PETALING JAYA: The medical profession has taken a united stand against the proposed separation in the dispensing of medicines.
Doctors including dentists and veterinarians made their stance on April 18 during a national forum on laws on pharmacy organised by the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Malaysia.
Federation president Dr Steven Chow said: "Our existing system is a proven physician-based system of care that is cost-saving, convenient, patient-centric and preferred by patients and the public.
"Opponents of this existing system have to date, not produced any proper studies indicating the ill-effects or negative aspects of this system in Malaysia."
He added that any move to separate pharmacies from clinics and hospitals must take into consideration the views of the public.
"The right of where to get medications is the patient's right and should not be taken away," he said.
He added that a majority of Malaysians are against the proposed separation of dispensing of medication.
Under the proposed system, doctors will prescribe the medications after consultation while the pharmacists will dispense the prescribed medications.
The participants at the forum also signed a joint memorandum (on their stand) to be forwarded to the Health Ministry.
Among other things, the memorandum urged the government to ensure that the right of choice for medications remains with the patients. Chow said dispensing separation will create a monopoly in the supply of many medications used in the treatment of common diseases.