Kuala Lumpur: The Kedah Consumers Association (CAKE) has welcomed the government's Medicine Price Transparency Mechanism (MKHU) but says more decisive action is needed to ensure affordable access to healthcare, particularly for low-income groups. CAKE president Mohamad Yusrizal Yusoff said that while the MKHU requires clinics, hospitals and pharmacies to display the prices of medicines, it does not regulate them.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Yusrizal emphasized that transparency is only the initial step, but it does not suffice in addressing the affordability of treatment or medication for patients, especially those belonging to lower-income backgrounds. He expressed concerns that the absence of price controls could lead to profiteering by unscrupulous entities and push vulnerable patients toward unverified traditional treatments, potentially worsening their health outcomes.

Mohamad Yusrizal highlighted the financial strain on some individuals who are compelled to borrow money just to purchase basic medication. He also advocated for government intervention in regulating consultation and treatment fee pricing to prevent further financial burdens on patients.

Additionally, he urged the government to make all essential medications available free of charge at government hospitals for low-income groups. This, he argued, would help ease their financial burden and contribute to reducing healthcare inequality.