KUALA LUMPUR: Klinik swasta mengenakan bayaran ubat biasa dan ubat jangka panjang lebih mahal antara antara 23 peratus hingga 75 peratus berbanding farmasi komuniti.
Berdasarkan tinjauan BH, sebagai contoh klinik swasta menjual ubat paracetamol 500 miligram (mg) pada harga sekitar RM1 sebiji, tetapi ada farmasi yang menawarkan harga serendah 25 sen sebiji.
Pil salbutamol sulphate yang biasa digunakan berkaitan batuk akibat asma pula harganya sekitar RM1 sebiji di klinik swasta namun boleh dibeli di farmasi antara 25 sen hingga 45 sen sebiji.
Begitu juga ubat terkawal bagi kolesterol, atorvastatin 20mg sekotak mengandungi 30 biji yang dijual sekitar RM160 di klinik manakala RM122 di farmasi.
Satu jenama pil antiarlegik 4mg dijual di klinik pada harga RM1 sebiji tetapi diperoleh di farmasi pada harga 30 sen sebiji.
Menurut Presiden Pertubuhan Doktor-Doktor Islam Malaysia (PERDIM), Dr Boi Saidi B Abd Razak, perbezaan ketara harga ubat di kedua-dua premis itu berpunca daripada kaedah pembelian yang mana farmasi lazimnya membeli stok ubat dalam kuantiti besar sekali gus mampu mendapatkan harga lebih rendah daripada pembekal.
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PETALING JAYA: Egg prices may rise by about 10 sen following the removal of government subsidies and price controls, but the increase is expected to stabilise supply and strengthen the industry, says Mydin managing director Ameer Ali Mydin.
Ameer said the slight increase was part of the transition to a healthier, market-driven system that would ultimately reduce shortages and create a more resilient egg industry.
鈥淪ince there鈥檚 no price control, the prices of eggs would probably go up by 10 sen and eventually, when there鈥檚 more supply in the market, the prices will stabilise,鈥� he told FMT.
The government reduced subsidies from 10 sen to 5 sen per egg yesterday, with full removal and the end of price ceilings scheduled for Aug 1, 2025.
Egg prices are currently capped at 42 sen (Grade A), 40 sen (Grade B) and 38 sen (Grade C) per egg.
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Consumer Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader says this includes the use of plastic water bottles at all government facilities, such as offices and schools.
PETALING JAYA: The Consumers鈥� Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the government to ban plastic bottled water from their facilities, citing health and environmental concerns.CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said convenience, health considerations and a lack of trust in the quality of tap water have propelled the trend of plastic water bottle use.
鈥淣ational, state governments and local authorities should ban plastic bottled water from their facilities. Schools, colleges and universities should do the same,鈥� he said in a statement.
He added that over the past two decades, bottled water has become a part of every social function. 鈥淕one are the days when water was served from a jug.鈥�
Mohideen said that with the use of plastic water bottles, microplastic contamination is a major concern.
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KUALA LUMPUR: Perintah pemaparan harga ubatan di klinik dan hospital swasta yang berkuat kuasa hari ini disambut baik oleh pengguna yang melihat langkah itu sebagai manifestasi keprihatinan kerajaan terhadap hak serta kebajikan rakyat dalam mendapatkan perkhidmatan kesihatan secara telus.Rata-rata pengguna melihat inisiatif tersebut memberi lebih kuasa kepada mereka untuk membuat keputusan pembelian berdasarkan maklumat harga yang jelas sejajar dengan prinsip hak pengguna.
Seorang penjawat awam di Kedah, Norsyaliza Rosli, 48, berkata langkah itu sangat baik kerana ia membolehkan rakyat membuat pilihan harga sebelum membeli ubat-ubatan yang diperlukan tanpa ragu-ragu atau rasa tertipu oleh pihak yang cuba mengambil kesempatan demi mengaut keuntungan.
"Apabila kerajaan menguatkuasakan tindakan ini, mereka tidak lagi boleh memanipulasi dan main harga ubat ikut suka hati kerana mereka tahu tindakan berat boleh dikenakan. Sebagai pengguna, kami ada hak untuk memilih, jadi ini memang satu perkara yang patut disokong," katanya kepada Bernama.
Pesara kerajaan dari Pendang, Mohd Yasin Zamri, 67, pula menyifatkan langkah itu dapat membantu golongan kurang berkemampuan sepertinya membuat perbandingan harga sebelum melakukan pembelian di farmasi.
"Kadang-kadang bila pergi beli ubat, hari ini harga lain, esok harga lain, macam mereka main harga pula. Itu tidak patut kerana semua orang ada hak untuk tahu harga sebenar ubat yang dibeli dan jika memang berlaku ketirisan, bolehlah kami lapor kepada pihak berkuasa untuk ambil tindakan," katanya yang menghidap penyakit diabetes dan hipertensi.
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From June 20, 2025, all smartphones and tablets sold in the European Union will have to carry a new energy label. This initiative aims to inform consumers about the energy efficiency, durability and repairability of the devices they buy, while encouraging manufacturers to design increasingly environmentally-friendly products.
This measure stems from a European Commission regulation dated June 16, 2023. It is part of the wider framework of the European Green Deal, which seeks to promote a more circular and sustainable economy.
As detailed by the EU, this energy label will display a host of key information, starting with the smartphone or tablet's energy efficiency rating, from A (best performance) to G (worst performance). On the same label, consumers will be able to find the estimated battery life (in hours and minutes) and the battery endurance, or its expected lifespan in number of charge cycles.
The label will also specify the device's durability, resistance to dust and water, and repairability index, ranging from A (highly repairable) to E (not very repairable). Finally, a QR code will give consumers access to an online database containing detailed information on the product and its battery composition.
The aim of this label is to inform consumers about the performance and durability of the device they wish to purchase. Ultimately, the idea is to reduce the environmental footprint of these devices by encouraging the purchase of energy-efficient, easy-to-repair models. The label will be required for all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU from June 20. 鈥� AFP Relaxnews
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Two economists believe the Trump tariffs will have a deep impact on the global economy but a third says other factors will have to come into play to push it to the brink.
PETALING JAYA: The possibility of a recession resulting from the imposition of new tariffs by the US cannot be ruled out, but its severity will depend on several factors, according to several economists.
TKS Yugendran from Bait Al-Amanah and Nazari Ismail of Universiti Malaya rate the risk of such an outcome at the global level as 鈥渧ery high鈥� but Nazari鈥檚 colleague Goh Lim Thye believes it will come to pass only if tension builds up.
Yugendran said the tariffs will raise costs for the average American, leading to a drop in disposable income.
鈥淭his raises the possibility of a drop in consumer and business confidence. This will trigger a recession (in the US) that will eventually spread across the globe,鈥� he told FMT Business.
鈥淭he US is just hurting itself with the tariffs,鈥� he said, noting that financial institutions such as JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs shared the same sentiment.
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The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Women and Single Mothers Association says this will support child development.
PETALING JAYA: A single mothers鈥� organisation has proposed that the government include fresh produce and baby items in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Women and Single Mothers Association president Sheilla Tukimin suggested that beneficiaries of the initiative be allowed to redeem items such as diapers, fish, chicken, and vegetables to meet their daily needs.
Sheilla said the proposal was aimed at supporting children鈥檚 growth, focusing on hygiene care, and encouraging healthy eating habits.
鈥淚t would be better if the government expanded the range of items that can be redeemed as each family has different needs,鈥� she said.
鈥淚f possible, fresh produce should also be allowed as many families in the B40 and M40 groups cook at home. I urge the government to consider this.鈥�
The SARA programme allows recipients to use their MyKads for the purchase of essential items at participating supermarkets and retail stores nationwide.
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PETALING JAYA: Exercise caution when buying skincare and cosmetics, as those containing dangerous ingredients can be a health hazard, say medical experts.
They cautioned that mercury is a common ingredient found in products flagged by the Health Ministry.
Dr Chin Shih Choon, past president of the Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine, said skincare products containing mercury posed serious health risks due to its toxic effects on the body.
Such products could cause skin and kidney damage, neurological effects, respiratory issues, hormonal disruptions and environmental contamination, he said.
鈥淧regnant women using mercury-containing products risk passing the toxin to their unborn child, which lead to developmental issues, brain damage and birth defects. Breast-fed infants may also be exposed through contaminated milk,鈥� he said.
Dr Chin said to be safe, one should always choose skincare products that comply with regulatory standards and avoid those containing mercury or its compounds such as mercuric chloride, calomel and mercurous chloride.
鈥淚f you suspect mercury exposure, discontinue use immediately and seek medical advice. Con颅sult a dermatologist or aesthetic doctor before using new skincare products, especially if they claim fast whitening or anti-ageing effects.
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GEORGETOWN: Makanan ringan yang dijual kepada kanak-kanak termasuk berhampiran kawasan sekolah, perlu dipantau dari aspek kandungan dan keselamatannya.
Pegawai Pendidikan Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) dan aktivis, NV Subbarow, berkata makanan ringan berkenaan wajar mempunyai logo kelulusan Kementerian Kesihatan (香蕉视频).
"Ini mengenai kesihatan kanak-kanak, sudah tiba masanya 香蕉视频 mengambil tindakan.
"Tindakan harus diambil terhadap peniaga yang menjual makanan ringan di luar kawasan sekolah.
"香蕉视频 tidak boleh berdiam diri. Kanak-kanak ini tidak tahu apa-apa mengenai kualiti, kandungan, apa yang ada di dalam makanan dan sebagainya.
"Satu-satunya tarikan ialah warna dan gula atau kemanisan," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini, hari ini.
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KUALA LUMPUR - Kementerian Pengangkutan (MOT) mengharapkan lebih banyak kapasiti penerbangan ditawarkan bagi menurunkan harga tiket kapal terbang ketika ini yang didakwa mahal dan membebankan rakyat.Menterinya, Anthony Loke Siew Fook berkata, sekiranya syarikat penerbangan berbuat demikian harga tiket kapal terbang dapat diseimbangkan.
Menurutnya, harga tiket kapal terbang dipengaruhi banyak faktor termasuk peningkatan mata wang dolar Amerika Syarikat (AS) dan kenaikan harga minyak serta sewa pesawat yang menjadikan kos operasi semua syarikat penerbangan meningkat mendadak.
鈥淣amun begitu kita amat mengharapkan supaya lebih banyak penawaran, lebih banyak kapasiti dan lebih banyak pesawat terbang.
鈥淪ekiranya lebih banyak kapasiti maka ia dapat mengimbangkan harga tiket kapal terbang ini,鈥� katanya semasa waktu pertanyaan-pertanyaan menteri di Dewan Rakyat pada Khamis. ]]>