'Can the Health Ministry ensure that medication is priced similarly in hospitals and polyclinics?'

23 Jan 2009, The Straits Times

Question

"Can the Health Ministry ensure that medication is priced similarly in hospitals and polyclinics?"

MR THANNIMALAI A.R.S.N. ARUNASALAM: 'I wish to highlight the difference in the prices of medication between hospitals and polyclinics which can be twice or thrice more when one buys from the polyclinics. When I asked about the huge discrepancy at my polyclinic, the reply was that the polyclinic was not linked to the hospitals like the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) or Tan Tock Seng Hospital, both of which charge far lower prices. Here are some examples: One tablet of asprin 100mg (Cardiprin) costs only seven cents in SGH compared with 30 cents in a polyclinic. A 500mg tablet of tolbutamide also costs seven cents in SGH but 15 cents in a polyclinic. A 5mg table of enalapril maleate and a 20mg tablet of simvastatin cost four cents each in SGH but are priced three times more respectively in my polyclinic. Can the Health Ministry please ensure that medication is priced similarly in hospitals and polyclinics, especially if the medication is for patients with serious, long-term illnesses?'

Reply

Reply from MOH 

Mr Thannimalai A.R.S.N. Arunasalam asked "Can the Health Ministry ensure that medication is priced similarly in hospitals and polyclinics?" (ST, 20 Jan).

The anomaly is historical.  Hospitals and polyclinics have been working towards some harmonisation.  The pace has to be slow as otherwise it would cause a sharp rise in prices for some patients.

Meanwhile, while some drugs may be more expensive in polyclinics as compared to the hospitals, the consultation fees, laboratory investigation, X-ray and other charges are generally cheaper.  The total cost incurred by a patient in a polyclinic is therefore less than if he were to be treated in a hospital. 

Because of the heavy subsidies, patients have no problems paying polyclinic bills.