Did NACCOL have legal authority for new clinic rules?

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NACCOL lacked explicit legal authority for new private clinic rules, according to medical practitioners.

The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM) has asserted that the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) did not possess the legal authority to impose new rules on private clinics. FPMPAM president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson stated that these were merely policy suggestions, not legally binding directives, and criticised the health minister for not intervening when NACCOL's "mandate" was cited in Parliament to justify these measures.
NACCOL's Mandate Questioned

Dr Shanmuganathan articulated that the measures, such as mandatory drug price displays and prescriptions, were presented as if they were legally enforceable directives. He highlighted that these initiatives were policy suggestions and not established legal requirements. The association contends that the government proceeded with these proposals without adequate legal backing or prior consultation with relevant stakeholders in the medical field.
Ministry of Health's Jurisdiction

FPMPAM argues that the implementation of new rules concerning clinical decisions, including the issuance of prescriptions and itemised billing, falls strictly under the purview of the Ministry of Health and the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). Dr Shanmuganathan emphasised that NACCOL's involvement in these specific areas was an overreach, as these responsibilities are traditionally managed by health-specific regulatory bodies.
Calls for Ministerial Clarification

The association has called upon the health minister to publicly clarify his stance on the matter and to actively protect the interests of private medical professionals. FPMPAM expressed concern that the minister’s silence during discussions where NACCOL’s authority was invoked indicated either complicity or a failure to adequately represent and defend the medical profession against what they perceive as policy overreach.

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Did NACCOL have legal authority for new clinic rules?

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