SEGAMAT: The Government is observing prices of drugs and medicine closely to ensure they do not escalate due to the diesel and petrol price hike, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the ministry would ensure that the drugs and medicine prices would not develop into an issue.

We are very mindful of making sure medicine prices are always controlled, he said after opening the Universiti Teknologi Mara mobile dental clinic and oral health programme at Felda Palong Timur here yesterday.

He said medicine manufacturers could not increase prices at will as the products were bought on consignment through Pharmaniaga Bhd.

To that extent, I do not think it will affect our prices as far as local (production) is concerned, he said, adding that the Cabinet had stated that the cost of other things such as food and medicine should not increase because of the fuel price hike.

When asked about the suggestion that allowances of members of parliament should be trimmed to help the Government reduce its financial burden, Dr Subramaniam, who is Segamat MP and MIC deputy president, said he supported the initiative that could help strengthen the countrys economic position.

However, he said it should be taken to the Parliament for discussion before a decision was made.

To a question on incumbent MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivels intention to give up the post by 2016 and hand over the duty to him, he said: We will wait until then (to comment about the matter).

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Medicine prices should not go up, says Health Minister