Across Malaysia’s private primary care landscape, patients are increasingly drawn to what looks like “cheaper” health care. Pharmacies are often the first stop, while social media sellers aggressively market products that promise quick relief at a low price. On the surface, this feels affordable. In reality, the risks both medical and financial are far greater.
At the heart of the issue is fragmentation. Patients who bypass proper consultation often end up with duplicated drugs, missed diagnoses, or inappropriate therapies. A cough treated as a simple “flu” may turn out to be pneumonia.
Chest pain written off as “gastric” can mask heart disease. Steroids sold as “sinus pills” provide temporary relief but cause long-term harm when misused. By the time these patients reach a general practitioner (GP), valuable time has been lost, the illness has often worsened, and costs have escalated.
The danger comes in two forms. The first is unregistered medicines, often pushed through social media and informal sellers. They comprise steroid-laced therapy, slimming pills, and unregulated antibiotics that carry dangers of hidden side effects and long-term harm.
The second is registered but unnecessary products sold in pharmacies, particularly supplements marketed as solutions for a wide range of vague symptoms. These products are expensive as remedies, yet they all do little good in most cases.
Take magnesium as an example, often promoted for cramps, tiredness, or even as a mental health supplement. While there are genuine medical indications for magnesium, routine consumption is rarely indicated.
In fact, unsupervised use may backfire badly and lead to low blood pressure and heart rhythm abnormalities. What is framed as “harmless” can easily become unsafe and costly.
Despite these concerns, the public conversation often misses the finer points. General practitioners are too easily labelled as “greedy” simply for charging a fair consultation fee, while government narratives tend to focus almost exclusively on keeping health care “cheap” for the rakyat. This narrative reduces health care to a matter of price alone allow unsafe shortcuts to thrive
The economics show the contrast. A proper consultation with regulated medicines may cost a patient around RM80. A pharmacy-first path, loaded with unnecessary supplements and a subsequent GP consultation, tends to be more expensive.
This doesn’t include intangible costs such as prolonged sick leave and long-term complications. The cheaper option is often more expensive in the long run
Beyond financial waste, there is the cost to public trust. Unregistered products erode safety, while inappropriate use of registered supplements creates a false sense of security, drains household budgets, and can cause harm when taken in excess.
Here lies the role of the general practitioner. GPs safeguard patients with accurate diagnosis, only prescribe drugs that are necessary, and give accurate assurance that drugs are safe and appropriate. This responsibility cannot be compromised by cost-driven narratives.
The lesson is simple. Cheaper care is not always better care. Patients deserve more than the lowest price on the shelf. They deserve safe, effective treatment guided by proper diagnosis and professional accountability.
Sustainable health care cannot be built on shortcuts. It must be built on safety, trust, and continuity of care.
Dr Bryan Kek is a general practitioner from Melaka.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
