The Private Medical Practitioners’ Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (PMPASKL), with the full support of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM), together with the Penang Private Medical Practitioners’ Society (PMPS Penang), the Perak Medical Practitioners’ Society (PMPS Perak), and the Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS), strongly reject the proposal by the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) for pharmacists to administer vaccines to the public.

Vaccination is a medical act, not a retail transaction

Administering any injection, including vaccines, is a medical procedure governed by Malaysian law.

It requires clinical assessment, the identification of contraindications, and the ability to manage medical emergencies that may arise.

Pharmacists are not legally authorized under existing health statutes, including the Medical Act 1971 and the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), to perform such acts.

“The law requires clinical assessment, the identification of contraindications, and the ability to manage medical emergencies that may arise.”

Pharmacies lack emergency facilities

Serious Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI)—such as anaphylaxis, hypotension, collapse, or allergic shock—are unpredictable and can become fatal within minutes.

Managing these emergencies requires immediate access to adrenaline, oxygen, airway equipment, emergency trolleys, and trained medical personnel—none of which exist in typical retail pharmacies.

To suggest otherwise is irresponsible and dangerous.

Accountability and indemnity are undefined

If an AEFI or death occurs following a pharmacy-based vaccination, who bears responsibility—the pharmacist, the pharmacy owner, or the approving authority?

Without clear indemnity, the public is left unprotected and the profession exposed to legal jeopardy.

Patient safety cannot be sacrificed to commercial interests or regulatory experiments.

Malaysia already has ample capacity for safe vaccination

There are thousands of qualified general practitioners (GPs) nationwide, fully trained and legally authorized to administer vaccines.

This capacity was proven beyond doubt during the Covid-19 pandemic, when GP clinics safely and efficiently delivered mass vaccination programs across the country.

The real issue is not manpower, but the monopolization of vaccine supply by commercial entities seeking profit at the expense of public health.

Stop the commercial capture of vaccines

The cornering of vaccine supply chains by parties with vested interests threatens national preparedness and access.

This manipulation of distribution and pricing is endangering public health and must be urgently investigated and stopped by the relevant authorities.

Patient safety, professional integrity, and legal accountability must come before profit.

Malaysia’s vaccination program must remain under qualified medical supervision, conducted in regulated clinical environments where emergencies can be properly managed and lives protected.

Issued by: Private Medical Practitioners’ Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (PMPASKL)

Supported by:

■ Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM)
■ Penang Private Medical Practitioners’ Society (PMPS Penang)
■ Perak Medical Practitioners’ Society (PMPS Perak)
■ Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS)
■ DRSforALL