Flak over new network set up to buy medicine

[rooster59]

Flak over new network set up to buy medicine

By THE NATION

 

 

NHSO goes ahead with decision despite some concerns over legality, efficiency.

THE DECISION to establish a new network, called the Network of Medical Service Providers, to be responsible for buying medical supplies for the universal healthcare scheme has drawn fire.

 

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) decided to set up the new unit at its board meeting yesterday. However, concerns have already been voiced that it would be inefficient, illegal, and detrimental to patients. 

 

The network will be led by Rajavithi Hospital, which will handle purchases for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on October 1.

 

The network will buy medical supplies based on guidelines set by a committee made up of representatives from relevant agencies.

 

Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said yesterday that he would “soon inform the Cabinet”. 

 

He said that patients’ rights and benefits under the universal healthcare scheme would not be affected. 

 

“In practice, the procurement system will be very much the same but it will boast greater transparency,” he said. 

 

The universal healthcare scheme now covers nearly 50 million people in Thailand. 

 

The NHSO has always purchased medical supplies that are best bought in bulk such as antidotes, vaccines and artificial knees. However, the Office of the Auditor General recently pointed out that the NHSO has no legal power to make procurements. Cautions from the office prompted authorities to explore solutions. 

 

After a series of discussions, the NHSO board members voted to approve the proposal to set up a new unit to buy medical supplies. The approval got the backing of 12 board members. Four other members voted against it while one other member abstained.

 

Saree Ongsomwang who is the minority voice at the NHSO board questioned Rajavithi Hospital’s ability to procure medical supplies on an urgent basis.

 

“It will have less than one and a half months to prepare everything,” she said.

 

 

As well, she doubted whether the NHSO’s choice was legal. 

 

Saree said that the NHSO had long been credited for saving several billions of baht in the state budget each year because of its efficient central procurement. 

“But lately, I’ve heard there are efforts to push up the artificial knee price from Bt48,500 each to Bt50,000,” she said. 

 

Anan Muangmoolchai, the president of Thailand Network of People living with HIV/AIDS, said that the |shortage of drugs for the universal healthcare scheme was now imminent because of the central procurement controversy.

 

“At many hospitals, patients who have usually been prescribed Teevir cannot get it anymore. They are told to take Teno-m+EFV instead,” he said.

 

 

He added that some pharmacists told him they could not get several other medicines such as Rilpivirine and Abacavir.

 

“Is it because relevant authorities have been trying to bar the NHSO from handling the central procurement?” he asked.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30324255

[faraday]

Buying Generic medicine from a reliable manufacturer, yes I agree with that.

But, joint replacements differ vastly in quality, longevity & efficiency & buying 'cheap' is very false economy.

NICE in the uk has been subject to some dodgy influences....

[canuckamuck]

Imagine the budget on that. What a ripe plum. What schemes must be occurring to some, to become a part of the process?

 

[maewang99]

this is a huge issue.  

I am staying away from this entire sector, and aviation and tourism too now. investment wise.  

the private system will not get off scot free. some how it just won't.  as for unbridled tourism based on subsidized cheap aviation... it's only a matter of time... last month July 2017.. once again.... was the hottest July in 137 years... just as undeniable as Thai demographics. we can't live in fairy tale lands forever. yeah?

and in Thailand the whole ball of wax is tied into this particular problem where there is a social contract for those who are civil service... that their health care is special.... and part of their deal.... is a problem maker. and using cash accounting.. just like in the USA... instead of accrual accounting to take into consideration demographics down the line... is really what is the root of it. for the other thing, the real costs are externalized and then we try to ignore or pretend that we can solve it and are solving it [Al Gore, Obama, Clinton].... but the reality is that we ain't doing enough fast enough.. and maybe it's way too late... then we will panic when something breaks. 

both are complex webs... that are under stress.... they will break but when they do they do so in a manner that seems like something no one could have predicted.... but in fact... you can. it's even easy to do so... later someone will say "no one predicted that that would happen [exactly that particular way]". it's never been true without the thing I put in parenthesis, but the basic equation is always easy to see and the outcome undeniable. everyone can see, everyone knows.. but we let it keep ticking because we are afraid. so we talk bravado, but in fact it's the opposite.

 
 


      

 

 

Edited August 19, 2017 by maewang99

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

He added that some pharmacists told him they could not get several other medicines such as Rilpivirine and Abacavir.

 

“Is it because relevant authorities have been trying to bar the NHSO from handling the central procurement?” he asked.

More likely it's too expensive. 

[Cadbury]

Sounds like there has been a serious change in the level of commissions paid by the drug and medical companies to those who make the big decisions. That being a new body inappropriately named the "Network of Medical Service Providers".

Nothing more than a change in the size and weight of the envelopes along with a new team to better manage the commission payments and distribution list. Just normal government practice for Thailand.

Hospital efficiency and patient care has little to do with it.

[impulse]

55 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

He added that some pharmacists told him they could not get several other medicines such as Rilpivirine and Abacavir.

 

“Is it because relevant authorities have been trying to bar the NHSO from handling the central procurement?” he asked.

More likely it's too expensive. 

  

You think it's the same for 375 and 500 mg aspirin?

 

This is a match made in heaven.  A Thai bureaucracy and Big Pharma.  What could possibly go wrong?

 

Edited August 19, 2017 by impulse

[tryasimight]

14 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

Imagine the budget on that. What a ripe plum. What schemes must be occurring to some, to become a part of the process?

 

Pray do tell.

[tryasimight]

13 hours ago, maewang99 said:

this is a huge issue.  

I am staying away from this entire sector, and aviation and tourism too now. investment wise.  

the private system will not get off scot free. some how it just won't.  as for unbridled tourism based on subsidized cheap aviation... it's only a matter of time... last month July 2017.. once again.... was the hottest July in 137 years... just as undeniable as Thai demographics. we can't live in fairy tale lands forever. yeah?

and in Thailand the whole ball of wax is tied into this particular problem where there is a social contract for those who are civil service... that their health care is special.... and part of their deal.... is a problem maker. and using cash accounting.. just like in the USA... instead of accrual accounting to take into consideration demographics down the line... is really what is the root of it. for the other thing, the real costs are externalized and then we try to ignore or pretend that we can solve it and are solving it [Al Gore, Obama, Clinton].... but the reality is that we ain't doing enough fast enough.. and maybe it's way too late... then we will panic when something breaks. 

both are complex webs... that are under stress.... they will break but when they do they do so in a manner that seems like something no one could have predicted.... but in fact... you can. it's even easy to do so... later someone will say "no one predicted that that would happen [exactly that particular way]". it's never been true without the thing I put in parenthesis, but the basic equation is always easy to see and the outcome undeniable. everyone can see, everyone knows.. but we let it keep ticking because we are afraid. so we talk bravado, but in fact it's the opposite.

 
 


      

 

 

Thanks for that, good to know you won't be risking your millions.

 What does it have to do with the OP

[faraday]

1 minute ago, tryasimight said:

Pray do tell.

 Didn't realise you were religious.....

[tryasimight]

I'm glad I am wearing my girdle for  I fear I may have split my sides with mirth.

 

Apologies to Blackadder AKA Rowan Atkinson.

 

[tryasimight]

Have to laugh at many posters commenting on this subject. What are you paying ( i.e whole of country costs) for medication back home? Even with government subsidised schemes.

I know what I pay for some drugs in Thailand are 10% of what I pay in Oz. Some are exactly the same price - lipidil for one. But I'm not on the bludgers  health care card scheme in Oz.

I can't join it...I have a job!

[lujanit]

8 hours ago, tryasimight said:

But I'm not on the bludgers  health care card scheme in Oz.

I can't join it...I have a job!

This is a very cruel comment. Many people who are on a concessional health card are NOT bludgers. There are plenty of people who are unable to hold down a full-time job because of serious illness.  Cancer, dementia in all it's forms, physical ailments which affect mobility. You are very lucky you are not affected by one of these illnesses.  Count your blessings. 

[tryasimight]

6 hours ago, lujanit said:

This is a very cruel comment. Many people who are on a concessional health card are NOT bludgers. There are plenty of people who are unable to hold down a full-time job because of serious illness.  Cancer, dementia in all it's forms, physical ailments which affect mobility. You are very lucky you are not affected by one of these illnesses.  Count your blessings. 

50 per cent of the aussie population....or so it seems.

Bludging has become an art form.

Institutionalised, multi generational bludging.

 

Is getting pregnant and having multiple children with no long term partner an illness?

No problem.....just put the hand out and the taxpayer will give you free money and accommodation.

 

Don't waste your time responding....I have formed my view after watching Australia go down the gurgler over 60 years.

 

The welfare class have reached a critical mass to the point that no politician will survive the next vote if they try to do anything about it.

Edited August 20, 2017 by tryasimight

[Bill Miller]

18 hours ago, tryasimight said:

Have to laugh at many posters commenting on this subject. What are you paying ( i.e whole of country costs) for medication back home? Even with government subsidised schemes.

I know what I pay for some drugs in Thailand are 10% of what I pay in Oz. Some are exactly the same price - lipidil for one. But I'm not on the bludgers  health care card scheme in Oz.

I can't join it...I have a job!

I like the part about how cheaply most medications can be had.
I pay over the counter at "my" hospital about 1/3 for three vials of my insulin what the copay is for ONE vial with my Medicare and supplemental insurance in the USA,  and for which I pay 4,500 baht monthly, and which also does not cover all until I meet a minimum spending amount of a couple of thousand dollars. I am always held up for 20% of any medical procedure in the US which can be more than the total cost of the same thing here.

[Redline]

On 8/19/2017 at 7:41 AM, canuckamuck said:

Imagine the budget on that. What a ripe plum. What schemes must be occurring to some, to become a part of the process?

 

Time to visit the tailor and increase pocket size