Govt to control medicine prices in coming months to rein in healthcare costs
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THE GOVERNMENT is looking at reining in skyrocketing healthcare costs incurred by patients at private hospitals by controlling the price of medicines and hospital services.
Private hospitals will also be required to post the price of drugs and services on their websites and other channels so patients are informed in advance before commencing treatment.
Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said a working group of Public Health and Commerce ministry officials, as well as the Medical Council and Consumer Protection Board would hold talks with private hospitals to work out median prices for medicines.
“The cost and profit from selling medicines will be regulated. There will be a price ceiling for different categories of drugs that hospitals can charge their patients. It will take some time to implement this measure,” Rajata said.
At present, drugs are under the Commerce Ministry’s Price of Goods and Services Act, but the Internal Trade Department has yet to set price ceilings on different categories of medicines so that profit margins can be regulated. Under this law, violators are subject to a maximum punishment of seven years in jail and/or a Bt140,000 fine.
Regarding emergency medical services, he said they must be free of charge at every private hospital, as the cost can be reimbursed by the National Health Security Office.
Regarding doctor’s fees, Medical Council deputy secretary-general Samphan Komrit said there was still no ceiling on this charge and it was tough at this stage to establish a median tariff. He said all hospitals should clearly inform patients in advance of their doctors’ fees so patients can make their own choice.
Preeyanan Lorsermvattana, president of Thai Medical Error Network non-government group – said her organisation agreed with the emergency medical service move but wanted to make sure patients are not forced to sign any document to pay for the service themselves.
Over the past few years, a growing number of patients who use services of private hospitals have complained that healthcare expenses have shot up while revenues and profits of hospital companies listed on the stock market have risen sharply. This has led to the government efforts to regulate private healthcare prices.
