Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS)

“Doctors Arise, you have nothing to lose but your Chains—and perhaps your sanity!”

Well, well, well… what do we have here? A curious little document making its rounds, ominously titled the “Collaborative Reward Scheme.” Allegedly cooked up by a major chain pharmacy group (we’d like to meet your PR team, truly), this document is making waves—no, tsunamis—through the medical fraternity. And for good reason.

Because if the contents are true (and let’s emphasize “if” for now), then dear friends, we’ve reached a new low in the “How Low Can You Value Doctors?” Olympics.

Apparently, this “scheme” generously offers private doctors and specialists an impressive RM10 per patient. Yes, you heard it right—RM10! A princely sum for consulting, administering vaccines, and completing mountains of soul-crushing paperwork. A reward so rich, it feels like they’re handing us Monopoly money. Oh, wait…

Let’s unpack this absurdity, shall we?

𝟏. 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐨’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐲?

Vaccines, as we all know, aren’t just about sticking needles into arms. There’s this little thing called “medical judgment,” a skill GPs and Specialists spend years perfecting. But under this scheme, liability for adverse reactions seems like it’s going to be one big game of “hot potato.”

So, tell us—when things go south (and they will, because #reallife), who’s footing the bill for the lawsuits? The pharmacist who started the consultation or the doctor who finished it? Oh, wait, perhaps they’ll divide it by RM10 increments? Genius.

𝟐. 𝐄-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞?

Ah, e-prescriptions—legal under Malaysian law and, when used responsibly, a brilliant innovation. But in the wrong hands? A recipe for chaos.

Has anyone bothered to check if these pharmacists are up to snuff on Ministry of Health guidelines? Or are we now treating compliance like optional DLC in a video game? Honestly, it’s cute how they think they can dabble in medical practice without potentially collapsing the entire healthcare ecosystem. Bold move, pharmacies. Bold move.

𝟑. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

This one’s a personal favorite. RM10 per patient? Wow, you shouldn’t have. Really, you shouldn’t have. It’s adorable how someone thought they could slap such a laughable number on our time, skills, and sanity and call it a “reward.”

The message here is loud and clear: GPs and Specialists are nothing more than glorified data-entry clerks who apparently enjoy being underpaid and undervalued. Spoiler alert—we don’t.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: 𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭

Let’s get real. If this document is legit, private doctors and specialists need to stop being passive participants in this tragic comedy. It’s time to stand up, unite, and remind these pharmacy overlords that respect is non-negotiable.

Let’s seek out partnerships with pharmacies that still have a soul (yes, they exist—somewhere). Together, we can create an ecosystem that benefits everyone, without turning doctors into RM10 punching bags.

In the meantime, we demand clarification on this so-called “leaked” document. If it’s a hoax, fantastic—someone owes us an apology and a round of drinks. But if it’s real, well, let’s just say the pharmacy group in question has some serious explaining to do. And possibly some groveling.

So here’s to standing united, calling out nonsense when we see it, and, most importantly, refusing to let healthcare devolve into a bargain-bin sideshow. To our colleagues: stay strong, stay smart, and for heaven’s sake, don’t settle for less than what you’re worth.

Yours Sincerely,

𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐡

Immediate Past President & Founding President

Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS)