The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) views with serious concern the recent reports alleging that some doctors are leasing their Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) to aesthetic operators and that prescription medicines such as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are being supplied for weight loss without proper medical assessment and follow-up.
If proven, such practices represent a grave breach of professional ethics and a violation of the duty of care owed to patients.
An LCP is not a tradable document. It is a professional credential tied to an individual doctor’s competence, clinical judgment and accountability. 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.
Equally concerning is the inappropriate 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.
Prescribing these medicines without proper history taking, risk assessment, baseline investigations, counselling and follow-up exposes patients to preventable harm.
Adverse effects can range 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.
Obesity and metabolic disease are shaped by complex social health determinants — including diet environment, work patterns, stress, mental health and socioeconomic factors. Injections alone cannot address these drivers. Sustainable health outcomes require comprehensive, supervised care — not transactional prescribing.
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.
To the public, we urge caution. Patients should verify that their doctor is 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.
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.
Public trust is the foundation of medical autonomy. That trust is sustained only when patient welfare remains above commercial pressure.
This statement was issued by MMA president Dr R. Arasu.
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