Drug purchase option may drive greater use of private hospitals

The Department of Internal Trade, Department of Health Service Support, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Private Hospital Association signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday and launched the “Happy Body, Happy Wallet” initiative, aiming to disclose drug prices and reduce living costs by 32 billion baht.

- PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

The initiative aims to empower patients to purchase medicines outside hospitals, which may encourage them to utilise the services of private hospitals.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said this collaboration will reduce medical costs for private hospital patients.

More than 300 private hospitals nationwide are participating in the project.

The FDA has screened and selected participating pharmacies, with more than 3,400 taking part nationwide.

Under the initiative, patients can take prescriptions from private hospitals and purchase medicines at pharmacies registered with the FDA that display the Happy Body, Happy Wallet project logo.