Ministries to discuss high cost of medicines, medical services

The move was prompted by a demonstration by the Thai Medical Error Network at Government House to highlight the effect on patients of overpricing at private hospitals.
The Public Health Ministry said it would discuss the matter with concerned agencies and representatives from consumer groups.
Boonyarit Kalayanamit, director-general at the Internal Trade Department, said although the department was responsible for the price of goods, the cost of medicine and medical services is the responsibility of the Public Health by law. Thus, the department will have to decide if it should call for the price of medicine and medical services to be controlled under the Price and Service Act.
"The Public Health Ministry can ask for the Internal Trade Department’s cooperation to help control the price of medicine under its lists to ensure fair treatment for consumers," Boonyarit said.

The Public Health Ministry already has a list of generic medicine so that it can control the prices at public hospitals. The ministry could adapt its list of medicines to control the prices at private hospitals as well, Boonyarit said.

In addition, under the current price act, the cost of medicine should be clearly labelled on medicine packages to allow consumers to make a choice.

In a bid to control the price of medical services at private hospitals, every hospital is required to clearly show patients the price of medicine and medical services so that patients can make an informed decision about where they want to be treated.

The Thai Medical Error Network has also called on private hospitals to charge a fair price for emergency services for a period of up to 72 hours per patient. The Public Health Ministry has been asked to find measures to help protect consumers’ rights during the current economic downturn.