DITP Tackles Healthcare Costs in Private Hospitals

[webfact]

 
BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is implementing measures to control drug prices and medical service charges in private hospitals, aiming to ease the burden of living costs. Led by DITP Director-General Wattanasak Sur-iam, the agency has initiated talks with the Private Hospital Association, seeking collaboration from over 300 private hospitals to adhere to legal standards.

 

A major step in this effort is the requirement for private hospitals to properly display QR codes, enabling the public to easily access and compare the costs of drugs and medical services. The DITP encourages reporting of any pricing discrepancies through their 1569 hotline, assuring thorough investigations and possible legal action against violations.

 

The DITP has requested private hospitals to reveal the buying and selling prices of 200 medications, medical supplies, and services, specifically those covered by the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) program. This program guarantees compulsory emergency healthcare for up to 72 hours in all Thai hospitals, ensuring free treatment irrespective of the patient’s welfare coverage registration.

 

In a bid to lower healthcare costs further, especially during the New Year season, the DITP has called upon private hospitals to participate in the Commerce Ministry’s year-end discount campaigns. This participation entails maintaining reasonable prices for medicines, medical supplies, and healthcare services.

 

For greater transparency and fairness in pricing, the DITP has published a list of prices for 32,419 items on its official website. The list includes products and services under the UCEP program and the Thai Standardized Drug Code, facilitating public access to standardized pricing information across the country.

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Full story: NNT 2023-12-11

 

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[Srikcir]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

seeking collaboration from over 300 private hospitals to adhere to legal standards.

Collaboration comes with compliance to laws. When significant profit margins are involved, "asking" will fall to deaf ears. Pass the appropriate laws.

Note that the Thai government already has authority for price controls over private enterprise related to food, consumer products, farm-related products, construction materials, paper, petroleum and medicines. Also included are services such as medical services and other services of a healthcare. 

There is currently the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services chaired by the Minister of Commerce that should be with minimal time able to review adequacy of current laws and introduce to the Cabinet any amendments or new laws to cover healthcare costs in private hospitals. 

[Guderian]

There are some excellent specialist doctors in Thailand, and also plenty of incompetent rogues. If I've found one of the excellent ones I don't much care what it costs me, to be honest. 

[CanadaSam]

A step in the right direction!

 

I'm amazed at the difference in prices for the exact same medications from pharmacy to pharmacy!

 

In Jomtien, Immigration Road, I walked to the beach and on the right side, bought one medication from a lady with a baby, 300 Baht.

 

Walked about 10 meters further, and saw another pharmacy on the left side, and just thought I would inquire.  Showed him the medicine, and he quoted 80 Baht!

 

Strange, weird, and I hope, illegal, and hopefully soon to be rectified if more steps taken in this direction!

Edited December 11, 2023 by CanadaSam
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