Medical Supplies, Services, Drugs Now Under Price Control in Thailand

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Junta government on Wednesday added medicine, medical supplies and medical services to its price control lists to ensure fairness for both patients and operators of private hospitals, the commerce minister said Tuesday.

According to the Bangkok Post, Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said medicine and medical supplies were included in the product price control list of the government’s central committee on prices of goods and services, and medical services placed on the panel’s service fees control list.

The committee formed a sub-committee to work out measures to control their prices. It comprises representatives from the ministries of commerce and public health, insurance associations, the Private Hospital Association, the Foundation for Consumers and the National Health Security Office, the commerce minister said.

“There has been no reply yet as to what measures will be applied and if the prices of medicine, medical supplies and medical services will drop. That will depend on the conclusions of the sub-committee. In principle, all concerned parties will be treated fairly,” Mr Sontirat said.

Also on Wednesday, the price control committee removed sugar, pulp, plastic pellets and automotive batteries from its price control list.