Committee appointed to review prices of medical services

Thammarat Thadaphrom

 

 

The Ministry of Commerce has formed a committee tasked with reviewing the prices of medical supplies and services at private hospitals.

 

According to Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong the cabinet earlier this week approved price controls on pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, as well as medical services and other services provided by hospitals.

 

Pharmaceutical products and medical supplies subject to price controls include materials and equipment that are essential and are used in great volumes for medical treatment, such as bandages, intravenous tubes, and hypodermic syringes.

 

The Ministry of Commerce had received complaints from the people’s sector claiming that drug prices and medical bills in certain hospitals are too high.

 

In response to public complaints, the ministry appointed a committee to look into the costs of drugs, pharmaceutical products, medical treatment, medical services, and other related services at various hospitals.

 

After the deliberations of the committee, the ministry decided to set up appropriate measures to deal with this issue, in accordance with "The Price of Goods and Services Act, B.E. 2542 (1999).” The decision is meant to create fairness for all people involved in medical treatment and services.

 

The committee consisted of representatives of the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Health, the Comptroller General’s Department, the Private Hospital Association of Thailand, the Foundation for Consumers, the National Health Commission Office, the National Health Security Office, the Thai Life Assurance Association, and the Thai General Insurance Association.

 

-- nnt 2019-01-27

4 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The decision is meant to create fairness for all people involved in medical treatment and services.

ah that ever elusive , subjective 'fairness'; am sure the overcharging private hospitals already think they are 'fair'

A Thai committee, they will sort it all out !

regards Worgeordie

3 hours ago, worgeordie said:

A Thai committee, they will sort it all out !

regards Worgeordie

 .... after 30 years of comments on this subject now they form a committee to check / review prices. 

 

 

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

 .... after 30 years of comments on this subject now they form a committee to check / review prices. 

 

 

I think they are also going to need a few Sub Committees,that 

seems to be the norm, waffle on and on,and little if anything changes.

regards worgeordie