Pharmacies in Malaysia: how the Poisons Act decides what you can buy

Section 21 of the Poisons Act sets the rule for Group B poisons, the class that covers prescription-only medicines. Outside a few listed cases, they may only be sold or supplied by retail:

• by a registered medical practitioner or dentist supplying their own patient under section 19; or
• by a registered pharmacist, as a dispensed medicine, on a prescription from a registered medical practitioner, dentist or veterinary surgeon.

The prescription must be signed and dated, carry the names and addresses of the prescriber and the patient, state the total amount and the dose, and specify the number of times, not exceeding three, that it may be dispensed. Electronic prescriptions signed with a digital signature are allowed too.

Source: pharmacy.moh.gov.my: Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366), section 21, read 17 October 2026.

A practical difference from much of Europe: under section 19, a registered medical practitioner may sell, supply or administer any poison other than a Group A poison to a patient for that patient's medical treatment. So a clinic visit in Malaysia can end with medicines handed over at the clinic itself, and a pharmacy is one option rather than the only one.

Source: pharmacy.moh.gov.my: Poisons Act 1952, section 19, read 17 October 2026.

• Group C poisons may be sold wherever Group B sale would be allowed, or as a dispensed medicine, which includes a registered pharmacist supplying it from licensed premises for a particular person's treatment.
• Urgent cases: if a medicine is needed urgently and a proper prescription cannot be obtained without unreasonable delay, a seller may supply on the verbal or telephoned instructions of a registered doctor personally known to them; the written prescription must follow within one day.
• Under 18: no poison may be sold or supplied to a person under eighteen except for that person's medical or dental treatment.

Source: pharmacy.moh.gov.my: Poisons Act 1952, sections 17, 21 and 22, read 17 October 2026.

Our guides to bringing medication to Malaysia and banned medication in Malaysia cover what you can carry in.

On Regency's international health plans, prescribed medication is not covered on Major Medical, is covered up to US$750 on Standard and Comprehensive, and is covered in full on Fully Comprehensive. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, so a medicine you already take for an ongoing condition is not something new cover will pay for. What applies is whatever your policy wording says. We are an insurance introducer, not an insurer.