How to cancel your BMJ subscription in Singapore and protect your rights
How to cancel your BMJ subscription in singapore and protect your rights
What is BMJ and why healthcare professionals subscribe
BMJ is a globally recognised peer-reviewed medical publisher that serves healthcare professionals across Singapore and beyond. You access clinical decision-making tools, accredited learning modules, and peer-reviewed research through BMJ's integrated ecosystem of products and services. Understanding what you have subscribed to is the first step toward making an informed cancellation decision.
Core BMJ products you may be cancelling
BMJ operates several distinct subscription services that you may hold individually or in combination. The BMJ journal delivers peer-reviewed medical research on a weekly basis. BMJ Best Practice provides clinical decision support with diagnostic calculators and patient information leaflets. BMJ Learning offers accredited continuing professional development modules recognised across Singapore's healthcare sector.
You can subscribe directly through BMJ's website, or acquire access via the Apple App Store and Google Play if you prefer mobile-first workflows. BMJ also sells ticketed access to conferences and professional events held in Singapore throughout the year. Each subscription type operates under separate terms and cancellation procedures.
Reasons healthcare professionals cancel
You may decide to cancel because your workplace now provides institutional access, you have found a competing service that better aligns with your clinical workflow, the annual cost no longer fits your budget, or you no longer require the clinical tools in your daily practice. Whatever your reason, Yafee provides transparent guidance so you understand your rights and the correct cancellation pathway before you act.
Your consumer rights when cancelling BMJ in singapore
Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is the primary legal framework that protects you when you cancel digital services like BMJ subscriptions. Knowing these rights puts you in full control of the cancellation process and ensures you do not forfeit a refund you are entitled to claim.
The 14-day cooling-off period and your refund right
Under Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you hold a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you purchase a BMJ subscription. This statutory right allows you to change your mind and withdraw from the contract without penalty, provided you act within the 14-day window.
However, this cooling-off right has one critical condition: you must not have accessed or consumed the digital content you purchased. If you have already opened, viewed, or downloaded The BMJ app, accessed BMJ Learning modules, or used BMJ Best Practice, you typically lose your right to cancel and claim a refund under BMJ's standard subscriber terms. This is because the service has been delivered and consumed.
Your legal position: You have 14 days from purchase to cancel and receive a full refund only if you have not accessed the content. After you access content, your cancellation right expires, and future payments remain due unless you cancel before your next renewal date.
Refunds when BMJ breaches or withdraws a service
If BMJ materially changes, degrades, or withdraws a service you have paid for, you retain the right to end your contract and claim a refund for any undelivered portion of your subscription. This right is separate from the 14-day cooling-off period and applies even if you have already accessed some content.
For conference event tickets purchased in Singapore, BMJ applies a tiered refund policy. You receive a full refund if you cancel more than 6 weeks before the event. Between 4 and 6 weeks before the event, you receive a full refund minus a SGD 350 administration fee. Within 4 weeks of the event, no refund is issued. Document the date you purchased your ticket and the event date to understand which tier applies to you.
Escalation to singapore's consumer authority
If BMJ refuses a legitimate refund or cancellation request, you have the right to escalate your complaint to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE is the statutory body empowered to investigate consumer disputes and enforce the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. Before escalating, gather and retain all written communications with BMJ support, including screenshots of account settings, confirmation emails, and support responses. This documentation strengthens your case with CASE.
How to cancel BMJ based on your subscription method
The cancellation method depends entirely on whether you subscribed directly via BMJ's website or through a third-party platform such as Apple or Google. Each pathway requires different steps, and using the wrong method may leave your subscription active and your account still charged. Yafee recommends confirming your subscription source before you begin the cancellation process.
Cancel a direct BMJ web subscription
If you purchased your BMJ subscription directly from the BMJ website (for The BMJ app, BMJ Learning, BMJ Best Practice, or conference events), follow this step-by-step procedure to cancel your account.
- Visit the BMJ website and locate the login portal, typically in the top-right corner.
- Enter your registered email address and password.
- If you cannot recall your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the reset email sent to your inbox.
- Once logged in, navigate to "My Account", "Account Settings", or "Manage Subscription".
- This option is usually located in the top navigation menu or under your user profile menu.
- Locate your active subscription and select "Cancel Subscription" or "View Subscription Details".
- BMJ displays your renewal date and current billing cycle on this page.
- Review the cancellation summary, which will state your final billing date and confirm that no further charges will apply after cancellation.
- If you have a remaining balance or credit, note whether BMJ will refund it.
- Confirm the cancellation by clicking "Confirm Cancellation" or a similar button.
- BMJ sends a cancellation confirmation email to your registered address within 24 hours.
- Retain this confirmation email as proof of cancellation. You may need it if you dispute a charge later.
Cancel a BMJ subscription via apple app store
If you subscribed to a BMJ app through the Apple App Store, you must cancel through Apple's App Store subscription management system, not directly via BMJ's website. Apple retains control of billing and refunds for App Store subscriptions.
- On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open the "Settings" app.
- On Mac, this is "System Preferences".
- Tap or click your name at the top of the screen to open your Apple ID profile.
- If you are signed out, sign in with your Apple ID email and password.
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Apple displays all active app subscriptions linked to your Apple ID here.
- Find and tap the BMJ subscription you want to cancel.
- You may see multiple BMJ subscriptions if you hold more than one product.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice.
- Apple confirms the cancellation immediately and sends a receipt to your registered Apple ID email address.
- Your access to the BMJ app remains active until the end of your current billing period, after which it terminates.
Cancel a BMJ subscription via google play store
If you subscribed through Google Play Store on an Android device, you cancel through Google Play's subscription management system. Google handles billing and processes refunds independently of BMJ.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device or visit play.google.com in your web browser.
- If using the website, you must be signed in to your Google account.
- Navigate to "Account" (on your device, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner).
- On the web, click your profile icon and select "Manage your Google Account".
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Google displays all active subscriptions tied to your Google account.
- Tap the BMJ subscription you wish to cancel.
- Google shows your renewal date and the amount you will be charged.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm.
- Google immediately processes the cancellation and sends a confirmation email to your registered Google account email address.
- You retain access to the BMJ service until the end of your current billing cycle, at which point your subscription expires.
Cancel via email or post
If you are unable to cancel through your account settings or app store, you can submit a written cancellation request directly to BMJ Customer Services. This method creates a formal record of your cancellation request, which is useful if a dispute arises later.
Email your cancellation request to [email protected]. Include your full name, registered email address, the name of the subscription product you are cancelling, and your request for cancellation effective immediately or on a specific date. BMJ Customer Services typically responds within 5 business days.
Alternatively, write a letter to BMJ's Customer Services address (provided in your original subscription confirmation email or on the BMJ website). Include the same information as above, sign the letter, and send it by post. Retain a copy of your letter and the postal delivery receipt.
BMJ subscription costs vary by product and billing cycle. Understanding your current plan and renewal date helps you calculate the financial impact of cancellation, including any refunds you may be entitled to claim.
| BMJ product |
Annual cost (SGD) |
Monthly cost (SGD) |
Cancellation window |
| The BMJ journal access |
$380 |
$35 |
14 days (if not accessed) or end of billing cycle |
| BMJ Learning (continuing professional development) |
$520 |
$50 |
14 days (if not accessed) or end of billing cycle |
| BMJ Best Practice (clinical decision support) |
$450 |
$42 |
14 days (if not accessed) or end of billing cycle |
| BMJ app bundle (multiple products) |
$680 |
$65 |
14 days (if not accessed) or end of billing cycle |
| Conference event ticket (tiered refund) |
$180-$420 |
One-time purchase |
Full refund if cancelled 6+ weeks before; partial refund 4-6 weeks before; no refund within 4 weeks |
| Institutional workplace access |
Contact BMJ |
Contact BMJ |
Per institutional contract terms |
All prices shown are in Singapore dollars (SGD) and are subject to change. If you hold an annual subscription and cancel mid-year, you may be entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion, depending on BMJ's terms and whether you have accessed the content. Contact BMJ support with your cancellation date to calculate your refund amount.
What happens after you cancel your BMJ subscription
Cancellation does not end immediately in all cases. Understanding the post-cancellation timeline and access rules helps you plan your transition to alternative resources.
Access and billing after cancellation
When you cancel a direct BMJ web subscription, your access terminates at the end of your current billing cycle. If your renewal date is 15 January and you cancel on 1 January, you retain full access until 15 January, after which access is revoked. No charges are applied after the renewal date.
If you cancel an App Store or Google Play subscription, the same principle applies: you keep access through the end of your current billing period. After that period ends, the app blocks further access when you attempt to open it.
BMJ does not issue refunds for the period between your cancellation date and your renewal date, unless you cancel within the 14-day cooling-off period and have not accessed content, or BMJ has breached the service.
Confirmation and record-keeping
Retain all cancellation confirmation emails, app store receipts, and bank statements showing the termination of charges. This documentation protects you if BMJ charges your account after cancellation or if you later dispute a refund denial. Yafee recommends keeping these records for at least 6 months after cancellation.
Refunds and financial recovery if BMJ refuses cancellation
BMJ may refuse your cancellation request if you accessed the content during the cooling-off period or if your subscription is tied to a non-refundable institutional contract. Understanding when you have a valid refund claim helps you escalate effectively.
When BMJ must refund you
You have a valid refund claim in the following scenarios. First, you cancel within 14 days of purchase and have not accessed the service. Second, BMJ materially changes, degrades, or withdraws a service you paid for. Third, BMJ fails to deliver the service you subscribed to (for example, The BMJ journal is no longer published). Fourth, you cancel a monthly plan at least 7 days before your next renewal date and your contract permits cancellation without penalty.
Disputing a refund denial
If BMJ denies your refund request, contact CASE (Consumers Association of Singapore) with the following documents: your original subscription confirmation email, all written communications with BMJ support, your cancellation request email or proof of cancellation through the app, your bank statement showing the charge, and any response from BMJ explaining the refund denial.
CASE investigates the dispute and can issue a formal recommendation to BMJ to refund you. If BMJ refuses to comply with CASE's recommendation, CASE can refer the matter to Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry for enforcement action. This escalation path has a strong track record of recovering refunds for consumers in Singapore.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling BMJ
Cancellation is straightforward when you follow the correct pathway, but a few common errors can delay your cancellation or result in unexpected charges. The good news is that all of these mistakes are preventable with advance planning.
Mistake 1: cancelling on the wrong platform
The most frequent error is attempting to cancel a subscription through the wrong channel. If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, logging into your BMJ account on the website and clicking "cancel" will not terminate your subscription or stop charges. Charges continue because Apple, not BMJ, controls the billing. You must cancel through Apple Settings. The same applies to Google Play subscriptions. Yafee recommends double-checking your original purchase receipt to confirm whether you subscribed via BMJ's website, Apple, or Google before you attempt cancellation.
Mistake 2: not checking your renewal date before cancellation
If you cancel a few days before your renewal date, you may miss the cancellation window and be charged for another month or year. Your account will show the exact renewal date in your subscription details. Aim to cancel at least 5 business days before this date to ensure your cancellation processes in time.
Mistake 3: failing to retain proof of cancellation
Without a cancellation confirmation email or screenshot, you have no way to prove you cancelled if BMJ charges you again. Always save the final cancellation confirmation and any reference number BMJ provides. This is your evidence in disputes with BMJ or with your bank.
Mistake 4: assuming the 14-day right applies after accessing content
Many consumers believe they can cancel within 14 days regardless of whether they accessed the service. This is incorrect under Singapore law. The 14-day cooling-off period expires the moment you first access the digital service. If you access BMJ on day 5 of your subscription, your 14-day right ends immediately. After that, you can only cancel by not renewing at the end of your billing cycle.
Cancellation checklist and next steps
Use this checklist to ensure you complete the cancellation process correctly and protect your rights if a dispute arises later.
| Action |
Completed |
Notes |
| Confirm which BMJ subscription you hold (web, App Store, or Google Play) |
[ ] |
Check your original purchase receipt or bank statement |
| Note your subscription renewal date and billing amount |
[ ] |
Found in your account settings or the app |
| Determine if you are within the 14-day cooling-off period and have not accessed content |
[ ] |
If yes, you have the strongest refund claim |
| Submit your cancellation request via the correct platform (website, Apple Settings, or Google Play) |
[ ] |
Do not use multiple platforms |
| Save your cancellation confirmation email and any reference number |
[ ] |
Store in a dedicated folder or your email archive |
| Check your bank account on your renewal date to confirm no charge is applied |
[ ] |
This confirms cancellation was successful |
| If charged after cancellation, contact BMJ support with your confirmation email |
[ ] |
Request an immediate refund and explain the cancellation date |
| If BMJ refuses to refund, escalate to CASE with documentation |
[ ] |
Include confirmation email, cancellation request, and bank statement |
When to keep your BMJ subscription instead of cancelling
Cancellation may not always be in your financial or professional interest. Consider whether you should retain your subscription based on your clinical practice and budget.
| Reason to cancel |
Reason to keep |
| Workplace now provides institutional access |
Workplace access may be limited to specific staff; personal access provides 24/7 availability |
| Cost does not fit your annual budget |
BMJ offers monthly plans at lower upfront cost; pause non-urgent subscriptions instead |
| You rarely use BMJ features |
Consider whether BMJ Learning is approaching a renewal date; waiting may reduce overall cost |
| A competitor service better suits your workflow |
BMJ is integrated into many clinical pathways in Singapore; losing access may create gaps |
| You are retiring or changing roles |
Your new role may benefit from access; contact BMJ about a temporary pause instead of cancellation |
If cost is your primary concern, contact BMJ support at [email protected] and ask whether you can downgrade to a lower-cost plan, pause your subscription for 3 months, or switch to a monthly plan instead of cancelling entirely. BMJ sometimes offers promotional pricing or flexibility for long-term subscribers.
Use these contact details to cancel your subscription or escalate a dispute with BMJ Customer Services.
BMJ support and cancellation channels
Email: [email protected]
Postal address: Customer Services, BMJ Publishing Group, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, United Kingdom. Include your subscription details, full name, email address, and cancellation request in your letter.
Web cancellation: Log into your BMJ account at bmj.com, navigate to "Account Settings" or "My Subscriptions", and select "Cancel Subscription".
App cancellation: If subscribed via Apple App Store, cancel in Settings > your profile > Subscriptions. If subscribed via Google Play, cancel in Google Play Store > Account > Subscriptions.
Singapore consumer authority escalation
Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE): If BMJ denies your cancellation or refund request, contact CASE at 6100 0315 or visit www.case.org.sg. CASE investigates disputes between consumers and businesses under Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act and enforces refund awards.
Summary: cancelling your BMJ subscription with confidence
Cancelling a BMJ subscription in Singapore is a straightforward process when you use the correct cancellation method and act within your legal timeframes. Your rights under Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act protect you during the 14-day cooling-off period if you have not accessed content, and they continue to protect you if BMJ breaches the service or refuses a legitimate refund.
The cancellation pathway depends on whether you subscribed directly via BMJ's website, the Apple App Store, or Google Play. Each platform operates independently, so cancelling in the wrong place will leave your subscription active and your account liable for charges. Use this guide as your reference, retain all confirmation emails, and escalate to CASE if BMJ refuses to honour your cancellation request.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions across Singapore by simplifying the legal framework and providing step-by-step guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. Whether you are cancelling BMJ due to budget constraints, workplace access changes, or a shift in clinical practice, Yafee ensures you understand your rights and take the action that best protects your financial interests. Begin your cancellation today using the correct method for your subscription type, and confirm successful termination on your next renewal date when no charge appears on your bank statement.