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  4. Subsidies for drugs on the Standard Drug List (SDL) at Public Healthcare Institutions

Subsidies for drugs on the Standard Drug List (SDL) at Public Healthcare Institutions

The Standard Drug List (SDL) subsidy framework provides subsidies for drugs used to treat common medical conditions so that healthcare remains affordable.

Last updated 2 January 2025

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What is Standard Drug List Subsidy?
What are the benefits?
Who is eligible?
How do I apply?

What is Standard Drug List Subsidy?

The Standard Drug List (SDL) subsidy framework provides subsidies for drugs used to treat common medical conditions so that healthcare remains affordable.

Clients receiving medical care from MOH-funded long-term care service providers may also receive drug subsidies when filling their prescriptions at PHIs.

What are the benefits?

Singapore Citizens are eligible for up to 75% subsidies, while Permanent Residents are eligible for 25% subsidies.

Subsidy levels are determined through household means-testing using Monthly Per Capita Household Income (PCHI)1 to account for the overall financial resources of the household to support the household members. For households with zero PCHI, the Annual Value2 of their residential property is used to determine subsidy levels.

The current SDL subsidy levels for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are shown below:

Current SDL Subsidy Level

Monthly Per Capita Household Income (PCHI)1

Singaporean Citizen

Permanent Resident

No PCHI

Annual Value2 ≤ $31,000: 75%

Annual Value > $31,000: 50%

25%

$0 < PCHI ≤ $2,300

75%

PCHI > $2,300

50%

Effective as of 1 Jan 2025

1 Monthly PCHI is computed as the total gross household monthly income divided by the total number of family members living together in the household. Gross monthly household income includes basic employment income, trade/self-employed income, overtime pay, allowances, cash awards, commissions, and bonuses.

2Annual Value is the estimated gross annual rent of a property if it were to be rented out, excluding furnishings and maintenance fees. It is determined by IRAS, and may be checked via IRAS website. Subsidy levels in 2025 will be determined using 2024 Annual Values.

Who is eligible?

Subsidised patients who receive SDL drugs at public healthcare institutions are eligible for SDL subsidies.

How do I apply?

Subsidies will be automatically accorded based on your means-test status.

Should you require further financial assistance, please approach the medical social worker at any subsidised public healthcare institution and they will be able to assist you accordingly.

For more questions, check out our FAQs at AskMOH.