KUALA LUMPUR: The second and third readings of the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2019, which were scheduled for today, have been postponed to the next Dewan Rakyat session.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who proposed for the postponement through Standing Order 62, said the bill was expected to be debated in the Dewan Rakyat sitting in March next year.
“Your honour, according to the Standing Order 62, I seek for the postponement of the second and third readings of the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2019.
“As according to the number 1 of the orders of the day and motions (order paper) today and will be carried to the next meeting,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat session here.
Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby later, Dr Dzulkefly said the postponement was to allow the ministry to collect opinions from the relevant stakeholders.
“It (postponement) is for me to get opinions from relevant and important stakeholders so that we can achieve a consensus and carry it out smoothly.
“I will call for another session to discuss the matter (with the stakeholders) at a time and date I will announce soon,” he said.
The bill aims to protect patients’ rights by giving them the option to decide where to fill their prescriptions.
New provisions under the new bill would also require registered medical practitioners to issue prescriptions at the request of their patients.
The amendments proposed in the Poisons Act 1952 include possible jail terms for private medical doctors, dental surgeons and veterinarians who do not comply with requests for prescriptions by patients.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MAA), slamming the proposal as inappropriate, had said that harsh penalties should only be meted out for offences that may result in severe consequences.
Its president, Dr N. Ganabaskaran, also raised concerns over new provisions on electronic prescriptions (E-Prescriptions) that would allow them to be signed with a digital signature and sent to a registered pharmacist as an electronic message.
Dr Ganabaskaran also urged the government to engage further consultations with stakeholders.