The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has issued a strong warning against the unethical practice of doctors leasing their credentials to beauty clinics that dispense prescription diabetes medications for weight loss without proper medical oversight. This practice raises serious ethical concerns and could have severe consequences for patient safety.
In a statement, MMA President Dr. Thirunavukarasu Rajoo emphasized the legal and professional responsibility doctors bear for patient care, even when they are not physically present at the clinics. He stressed that a Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) is a professional document tied to an individual doctor's competence, clinical judgment, and accountability, and cannot be rented or leased.
Dr. Thirunavukarasu highlighted the potential medico-legal consequences of delegating responsibility to other clinics, as this could lead to legal and ethical issues under existing laws and professional regulations. The comments came in response to reports from the online portal SAYS, which revealed that people were purchasing prescription drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide (commonly known as Ozempic and Mounjaro) from beauty clinics without undergoing necessary health checks and screening procedures.
Social media users were openly admitting to bypassing prescriptions to buy Ozempic, sharing contact details of clinics willing to sell the drug and other diabetes medications for prices ranging from RM700 to RM2,000. Dr. Thirunavukarasu criticized the sale of these potent metabolic medications as quick cosmetic solutions, emphasizing that they are not lifestyle shortcuts.
He explained that semaglutide and tirzepatide were developed for specific clinical indications, including diabetes and obesity management under structured medical supervision. Prescribing these medicines without proper history-taking, risk assessment, baseline investigations, counseling, and follow-up exposes patients to preventable harm, with side effects ranging from severe gastrointestinal symptoms and dehydration to more serious complications.
The MMA president urged the public to exercise caution and verify that their doctor is properly registered and that consultations include appropriate assessment and counseling. He also emphasized that no injection or procedure is risk-free, and informed consent requires full disclosure of benefits, risks, and alternatives.
