Materia Medica Malaysiana

Drug prescription review

The prescription of drugs and medicines for patients in Government hospitals will have to be reviewed to prevent abuse and wastage.
This is because expenses are sky-rocketing and expected to reach RM1 billion in five years.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry could not afford current practices anymore because of the increasing cost of subsidising expenditure for drugs.
"Last year we subsidised RM800 million, as compared to RM288 million in 1996.
"This is something that we have to really look into," he said after opening the Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Heart Association at a hotel here today.
Patients with chronic and acute illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension are usually prescribed medicines to last three to four months.
Dr Chua said the Government would be looking into whether there was a need to shorten this duration.
He said if the costs were to increase to RM1 billion, it was expected to be at least 20 per cent of the ministry's operating budget, which was currently RM7 billion.
"If this happens, the Ministry will have to revise the way medicines are prescribed to prevent wastage.
Dr Chua said the cost for outpatient and in-patient treatment at present was RM47 million and RM1.7 million, respectively. was RM175 million.
He said the review would be needed to ensure that the rich paid for medicines while the poor and unemployed were taken care of by the Government.
On another matter, Dr Chua said the proposed National Health Financing scheme, which is likely to be introduced next year, would not be an insurance scheme.
"The scheme is not a privatised project and it is not an insurance scheme where the public will have to buy insurance.
"Instead, it is a community- rated scheme. For those who can afford, they will have to pay to help those who cannot."
The minister said consultants were finalising a proper mechanism on the quantum to be charged by hospitals on patients, adding that the scheme would focus on improving the existing healthcare system and facilities.
"We also want to interface the public and private healthcare system, which is currently split into two - the government and private healthcare sector.
"Hence, we may have a scheme where patients have a right to choose a package, depending on their contribution."