loading
Articles

Doctors should give out medicines and not pharmacists, says former PM

Published by Afterschool.my on Mar 12, 2015, 02:40 pm

In response to the new pharmacy bill, the former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes that doctors should continue to prescribe and dispense medicines instead of patients having to go to pharmacies to get their prescription drugs. pharma

The proposed bill separates the functions of pharmacies and clinics in Malaysia. In the new system, doctors diagnose while pharmacists dispense the medication.

He was quoted saying that it would be more convenient for patients as they seek medical help at any time and easier if the doctors can give the necessary medications on the spot without them needing to wait further.

For some industry observers, the new bill will deny the patient's choice and preference on where to obtain medicines, increase cost of patient care and inconvenience for patients to access medication. To date, the country needs more pharmacists especially in rural areas.

On the other hand, supporters of the bill believe that the new system will help reduce prices of medicine and give doctors access to many more drugs to prescribe.

"If pharmacists are allowed to dispense, doctors would have access to 10 times more drugs to prescribe than what they have in stock. This will benefit the patients," said Wong Sie Sing, president of Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild (MCPG).

Presently, patients can choose where they wish to obtain their medicine.

got_question_btn (2)

RELATED POSTS
Latest News

Need help?
mail