BEGINNING January 1, Malaysians will have to fork out more for traditional Chinese consultation and medicine as the supply shortage and weak ringgit will drive prices up, said practitioners.

They said consultation fees must be adjusted alongside the medicine price hike.

This comes on the heels of recent increase in costs involving food items such as vegetables, which have seen up to 200% price hikes.

Malaysians have been told to brace for inflated costs of consumer goods of up to 30% due to supply chain issues.

Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupuncturists Associations president Ng Po Kok said the supply shortage is pushing prices up.

“After January, Chinese medicine practitioners are expected to adjust their fees in accordance with material prices,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“For now, some still have stock that was previously purchased, but this will run out at the end of the month,” he said, adding that he expects fees to go up between 10% and 30%.

“The medicine that we use has to be imported, so there is no way for us to control the price.

“In fact, prices have already gone up, but not substantially. We encourage our members to absorb the costs as much as possible as everyone is going through hard times.

“But if prices continue to go up, we will no longer be able to absorb the costs as we are already operating at a loss. We will be forced to adapt according to the market.”

Ng said once practitioners adjust their fees, they will see fewer patients, especially those from poor financial backgrounds.

Malaysian Chinese Medical Association president Yong Wee Seong said practitioners are already adjusting their fees.

“The costs of consultation and medication have all gone up. Previously, the costs have gone up by only 5%, but now it has gone up between 15% and 20%.

“We do not want to charge this much, but we are forced to due to the current situation. We have a lot of other expenses to bear, too.”

However, practitioners will do their best to keep prices as low as possible after the new batch of medicines arrive, he added.

“Some practitioners have already adjusted their fees, but most will do so after January 1. Some may even delay it.

“They do not dare pass the entire cost to patients; at most 10% and they will absorb the rest. This is important to maintain the rapport with patients.”

Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers Associations Malaysia president Boon Yip Heng said the group has not discussed increasing fees as it is difficult to make a unanimous decision.

He said although price hikes will not go down well with patients, if the situation is explained well, most will understand.

Items said to increase in price are, among others, liquorice and wolfberry.

Federal Territory and Selangor Chinese Medicine/Drug Dealers Association president Loh Kim Fong said there was a supply shortage of 30% to 50% last month.

“Once there is a supply shortage, prices will start to go up. This will last for about three to five months. If the crunch continues, prices will continue to rise.”

During the pandemic, Qingfei Paidu decoction became popular but was in short supply, thus pushing prices up by 20% to 30%, he added.

Loh said medicine halls are also wary of keeping too much stock during the same period.

“If they have old stock, they will not increase the price. When new stock arrives, they will adjust the price.”

With the ongoing pandemic, traditional medicine demand will continue to rise and so will prices, he added. – December 9, 2021.