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Doctors’ duty of care is not for sale — that was the firm message from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) following reports that some doctors had leased their Letters of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) to aesthetic operators
Its president, Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, said the reports, which also highlighted the sale of prescription medicines such as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) without proper medical assessment, were concerning and such practices, if proven, represent a grave breach of professional ethics and a violation of the duty of care owed to patients.
“MMA supports appropriate investigation and enforcement by the relevant authorities where breaches are identified.
“At the same time, we call on all practitioners to uphold the standards that define our profession,” he said, adding that it is crucial to maintain patients’ trust by remaining free from commercial pressure.
Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo calls on all practitioners to uphold the standards that define the profession.
Image via NSTP
Dr Thirunavukarasu said an LCP is not a tradable document and that the duty of care remains with the holder even if it is utilised by others.
“When a clinic operates under a doctor’s name without genuine supervision, or when an LCP is effectively ‘rented’, responsibility does not disappear.
“The duty of care remains with the doctor. This responsibility is non-delegable and carries potential medico-legal consequences under existing laws and professional regulations,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the use of potent metabolic medications as quick cosmetic solutions.
“Semaglutide and tirzepatide were developed for specific clinical indications, including diabetes and obesity management under structured medical supervision.
“They are not lifestyle shortcuts,” he said.
Dr Thirunavukarasu said prescribing these medicines without proper history-taking, risk assessment, baseline investigations, counselling and follow-up exposes patients to risks ranging from severe gastrointestinal symptoms and dehydration to more serious complications.
Inappropriate demand may also compromise access for patients who genuinely require these medications for chronic disease control, he added.
“MMA reminds all doctors that every prescription signed and every facility operating under their name reflects their professional responsibility.
“Financial arrangements must never compromise clinical standards.
“This applies equally to physical clinics, aesthetic centres, and digital or telemedicine platforms. Medicine cannot become purely transactional,” he said.
He advised the public to verify that their doctors are properly registered and that consultations include appropriate assessment and counselling.
“No injection or procedure is risk-free, and informed consent requires full disclosure of benefits, risks and alternatives,” he said.
SAYS recently released a series of investigations revealing that some alleged medical practitioners are endangering lives by selling prescription drugs without proper patient screening, and renting out their licences to fuel a black market in aesthetic clinics.
A months-long investigation found that such unethical practices allow these practitioners to rake in thousands each month by exploiting the growing craze for slimming and beauty.