MOH needs to take into account the interests of various stakeholders and the implication of the amendments before tabling amendments to the Poisons Act that regulates medicines, says Dr Adham Baba.
Under proposed amendments to the Poisons Act 1952, doctors, dentists, and vets violating mandatory prescriptions upon request face maximum five years' jail, up to RM50,000 fine, or both.
The Malaysian Medical Association and Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society propose that MOH work together with GPs and community pharmacies to reduce the burden at public health clinics.
Health care workers at government clinics who take up double shifts should be given an allowance for their overtime working hours, say Sabah and Sarawak reps.