No Plan To Streamline Medicine Prices

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The government has no plan to standardise or control the prices of medicine in the market, particularly at private clinics, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad.
He said although the medicine prices in the market were more expensive compared to the World Health Organisation's International Drug Price Indicator Guide, they are still manageable.
Replying to a question from Senator Fatanah Datuk Ahmad at the Dewan Negara, here today, he said the prices suggested by the guide were median averages of wholesale prices that excluded additional costs like insurance and delivery.
He said the factor that differentiated the market price for medicines was the consulting cost charged by medical specialists.
The public had the option to buy the medicine at the clinics or the pharmacies, he said.
"For now, we let the market forces determine the price," he said.