The Health Ministry will take into consideration doctors' act of not issuing prescription slips upon request by patients as one of misconduct instead of a criminal offence requiring a jail and fine sentence, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

When asked if the proposed amendment will be withdrawn, the Health Minister said the ministry will look into amending the proposed amendment of the Poisons Act 1952 and re-presenting it.

The Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2019 tabled at the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 25, among others, proposed penalising private doctors, dental surgeons, and veterinarians with a maximum fine of RM3,000, up to a year’s imprisonment, or both, should they refuse to provide prescription slips upon request by patients examined.