You know, I’ve always found it interesting that, even with so many affordable generics on the market, private hospitals here in Malaysia tend to stick with the original brands. It’s one of those things I noticed early on, and it got me wondering – why are original brands so preferred?
Turns out, it’s a bit of a mix of trust, reputation, and just plain habit.
What’s the Big Deal with Original Brands?
Here’s the
thing – private hospitals often prioritize what they see as tried-and-true.
Original brands usually come with a solid track record, backed by years of
usage, research, and trust. Doctors and hospital administrators like that
familiarity, and it makes sense. In a way, it’s about safety – they know the
brand, they’ve seen the results, and they’re comfortable with it.
Why This Matters?
At least to
me…
From a sales perspective, it’s a unique challenge. No matter how effective or affordable a generic might be, breaking through that trust barrier with an original brand is like trying to switch someone’s favorite nasi lemak stall – it just doesn’t happen overnight!
I get it, though.
If I were in their shoes,
I’d want to stick with what I know too. But sometimes, I think about how
patients end up paying more because of this preference for originals.”
What’s the Bottom Line?
Here’s the reality:
For private hospitals, trust in a brand is everything. They value the proven reliability of original brands, even if it means passing up cost-effective generics.
And for those of us in sales, it’s a reminder that our work is as much about building trust as it is about selling a product. Getting a generic into a private hospital is about showing them it can be just as trustworthy – no small feat.
Final Thought
So, the next time you’re in a private hospital and wonder why you’re seeing brand names on the prescription slip, you’ll know – it’s about a lot more than just the medicine itself. Sometimes, it’s about comfort, trust, and, yes, a little bit of habit.
Disclaimer: This post is just me sharing my own thoughts and experiences from working in the pharmaceutical sales industry. It’s not official advice or a statement from any organization. Just a bit of my own perspective on what goes on behind the scenes.
QUICK ADD-ON:
Price Assurance Initiative by Private Hospitals in Malaysia: A Step in the Right Direction, But More Can Be Done
A recent article on theedgemalaysia.com discusses a pilot program by private hospitals in Malaysia to standardize prices for certain procedures. This initiative, if successful, could have a significant impact on the healthcare industry in the country.
On the positive side, the program offers several potential benefits. First, it could promote greater transparency in healthcare pricing. Patients would know exactly how much they can expect to pay for a procedure, which could help them make more informed decisions about their care. Second, standardization could lead to more efficient delivery of care. By streamlining procedures and pricing, hospitals could potentially reduce costs and improve patient outcomes.
However, there are also some challenges that need to be considered. One challenge is the fact that private hospitals are capital-intensive operations. They have high overhead costs, which can make it difficult to reduce prices significantly. Additionally, hospitals may be reluctant to standardize treatments, as this could limit their ability to cater to the specific needs of individual patients.
Overall, the price assurance initiative is a positive step towards improving affordability and transparency in Malaysian healthcare. However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. The success of the program will depend on the ability of hospitals to find ways to reduce costs while still providing high-quality care.
Here are some additional questions to consider:
* How will the program be monitored and enforced?
* What impact will it have on the quality of care?
* How can the program be expanded to include more procedures?
By addressing these questions, policymakers and healthcare providers can work together to ensure that the price assurance initiative has a positive impact on patients in Malaysia.
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on this initiative. Do you think it is a good step towards making healthcare more affordable in Malaysia?
Private Hospital Association Says 12.5% Medical Inflation Rate is Inaccurate: A Look Behind the Numbers
A recent article in NST Malaysia discusses the Malaysian Private Hospitals Association's (APHM) argument against the reported 12.5% medical inflation rate. The APHM argues that this figure is inaccurate because it doesn't take into account year-on-year inflation of identical items.
How is medical inflation typically measured?
Medical inflation rate is usually measured via indices like the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which tracks the price changes of a basket of goods and services, including medical care. This basket includes items like physician services, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and outpatient care. The CPI measures the weighted average change in prices over time.
The argument from the Malaysian Private Hospitals Association (APHM)
The APHM argues that the CPI method might not be entirely accurate in reflecting medical inflation. They believe the 12.5% figure captures a broader increase in healthcare expenses, including the rising costs of:
* Electricity
* Maintenance
* Staff salaries
* Medico-legal court judgments
* Introduction of new technologies
* Investments in systems like EMR and AI
These factors can contribute to overall healthcare spending, but may not necessarily reflect a rise in the cost of providing the same level of care.
Is the 12.5% accurate?
It's difficult to say definitively without more information on how the 12.5% figure was calculated. The APHM raises a valid point that the CPI might not capture the full picture. Medical advancements and new technologies can improve the quality of care, but they also come at a higher cost.
Further analysis is needed to understand the true cost of medical care in Malaysia. This could involve looking at:
* How much the cost of specific procedures has changed over time
* How the cost of medical supplies and equipment has changed
* How physician and hospital fees have changed
By taking a more granular look at these factors, we can get a better understanding of how medical inflation is impacting healthcare costs in Malaysia.
What do you think?
Have you noticed an increase in medical costs in Malaysia? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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