International Press Release: The
confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania strongly condemn the
amendments to Poisons Act 1952 in Malaysia and support the Malaysian Medical
Association's (MMA) concern in this respect.
CMAAO urges the Malaysia Government to
withdraw the proposed Poisons Act 1952 Amendments Bill, which may have been
drawn up without meaningful consultations with medical professionals.
The new amendment proposes possible
jail term for private medical doctors, dental surgeons and veterinarians who do
not comply with requests for prescriptions by patients. Such severe and harsh
penalties should only be for offences that result in severe consequences.
In every country it is the job of the
medical council to handle such ethical issues. They have the power to cancel
the license of doctors for unethical acts or practices. The inclusion of a jail
sentence is needlessly draconian.
Good medical practice suggests that upon
request of a prescription by a patient, it should be given without any
hesitance by the doctor. The issue therefore concerns medical ethics rather
than a criminal act.
The question is also whether the pharmacist
or pharmacy should also be penalized with a jail sentence if they give
medicines without a prescription.
Dr KK Aggarwal, President CMAOO said that
CMAAO does not support criminalization of any professional group, including
pharmacists.
The existing Poisons Act, Medical Act 1971
and the Code of Professional Conduct clearly stipulates the prescription rights
of patients upon request.
CMAAO is also concerned about the
wide-ranging power granted to enforcement officers, especially as there seems
to be virtually no recourse available in the courts against them.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
President Confederation of Medical
Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of
India
Past National President
IMA
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