I read with interest and respect the recent CodeBlue article “MOH Must Revisit Online Healthcare Guidelines 2025: Public Safety Is At Risk,” and appreciate the concerns raised regarding the need for stronger oversight, safety assurance, and accountability in the delivery of online medical services. These are valid and important points that deserve thoughtful engagement.
From the perspective of those of us who have been delivering online health care services on the ground, we fully agree that online health care must be held to the same level of clinical, ethical, and legal standards as traditional in-person care, ensuring a safe, ethical and professional service rendered.
In fact, we strongly support the proposal for the Online Healthcare Services Act to be tabled and enforced. This is a much-needed step forward, and we welcome any move that brings clarity, consistency, and credibility to the digital health sector.
Over the past eight years, our platform has supported millions of patient interactions including online consultations, chronic disease management, valid e-prescription issuance, and pharmacy-linked fulfilment.
These services have been life-changing for many, particularly those in rural areas, those with mobility issues, and workers from underserved communities who struggle with conventional access.
Throughout this journey, we have maintained a firm commitment to compliance working cohesively and closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), enforcement agencies, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), etc.
Our platform and health care professionals operate strictly within the frameworks of the Medical Act 1971, Poisons Act 1952 and the Poisons (Amendment) Act 2022, Digital Signature Act 1997, and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Every e-prescription issued is digitally signed by both licensed doctors and pharmacists as per the requirements, backed by secure infrastructure and audit trails. All patient data is managed with full respect to privacy and confidentiality.
Doctors, pharmacists, and tech teams work collaboratively under defined protocols to ensure that service delivery is safe, evidence-based, and in the public’s best interest.
As with any emerging model, we understand there are concerns around fragmentation, inconsistent practices, or potential misuse. However, these risks underscore the need for structured regulation, not blanket restriction.
We are confident that with the right framework, supported by enforcement and industry cooperation, Malaysia can become a leader in responsible digital health care, not just in technology, but in quality, ethics, and patient outcomes.
We also wish to highlight that the public has responded positively to these services. Our platform consistently records high service satisfaction, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from thousands of real patients who have benefited from the timely, convenient, and professional care they receive online.
We remain fully committed to engaging with the MOH, the Malaysian Medical Council, and all relevant bodies to help shape a forward-looking, inclusive health care ecosystem.
Our hope is that digital health care in Malaysia can evolve within a clear and enforceable legal framework, one that protects patients, empowers health care professionals, and bridges access gaps—rather than unintentionally creating new ones.
Dr Raymond Choy is an established digital health provider and operator.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
