KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MoH) said no decision has been made yet on the dispensing separation between doctors and pharmacists. 

“The [issue of dispensing separation] has been overblown, and ... we have not made any decision,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam (pic) told a press conference yesterday after the Healthcare Forum 2015 on “Malaysian Healthcare: Trends, Opportunities & Challenges” organised by the Asian Strategy & Leadership.

He said the MoH would be guided by the needs of the people on the matter.

Subramaniam said in countries like the United Kingdom, the system could work seamlessly because healthcare financing is funded by the government.

“In the United Kingdom, general practitioners don’t prescribe because their charges are paid by the health system. The health system also pays the pharmacists for the cost of medications,” he said.  

He said it is different with Malaysia. “We have to look at the two systems ... What applies there will not necessarily apply here.” 

It was reported that pharmacists are hoping that the “doctors consult, pharmacists prescribe” system will take effect by April 1 this year.

The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society was reported to have said that this is to make clear the division of professional responsibilities to ensure the best care for patients.

Meanwhile, the MoH will seek clarification from the Customs Department and the Ministry of Finance regarding the imposition of the goods and services tax (GST) on doctors’ fees in private hospitals.

Subramaniam said the Customs Department was not very clear on the structure of private medical practice.

“There is concern that one group of doctors are exempted [from GST] and another not exempted,” he said. 

He said he had brought up the issue to the Customs Department and Ministry of Finance and would be meeting them soon to clarify the matter.

Subramaniam was responding to an article in a local daily which reported that the medical fraternity was contemplating suing the government for imposing the GST on doctors’ fees for consultation and procedures in private hospitals.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 13, 2015.