List of subsidised drugs updated regularly: MOH

MOH's Reply

The Straits Times, 4 May 2015

List of subsidised drugs updated regularly: MOH

We thank Mr Henry Lim Chong Leong for his letter ("Extend subsidy to non-standard drugs"; last Wednesday).

To ensure healthcare affordability for our pioneers, the Pioneer Generation Package provides an extra 50 per cent off pioneers' bills for subsidised services and subsidised medications at polyclinics and specialist outpatient clinics.

The list of subsidised drugs can be found on the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website at: https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/costs_and_financing/schemes_subsidies/drug_subsidies.html.

There are over 560 types of subsidised drugs, which are estimated to account for up to 90 per cent of public sector medication usage in Singapore.

Our list of subsidised drugs is modelled after the World Health Organisation's essential drug list, with modifications to suit local disease profiles and practice.

The list of subsidised drugs is reviewed on an ongoing basis to take into account changes in clinical practice, advances in medical science, and the evolving needs of patients.

The assessment is done by the Drug Advisory Committee (DAC), which comprises senior healthcare professionals and is chaired by the Director of Medical Services.

The DAC, with inputs from clinicians, considers three main factors when determining whether a drug can be subsidised.

First, whether the drug is essential for the treatment of medical conditions that are important causes of morbidity and mortality in Singapore.

Second, whether the drug offers a major improvement in terms of efficacy and effectiveness, as compared with existing subsidised drugs.

Third, whether there is sufficient evidence of long-term safety and cost benefits of the drug.

The cost of such essential drugs is subsidised for patients to improve affordability.

In some cases, patients may not respond as well to standard drugs and their doctors may prescribe non-standard drugs.

Such patients can receive up to 75 per cent subsidy under the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) if they are from lower- to middle-income households.

For Pioneer Generation (PG) patients who are subsidised under the MAF for their non-standard drugs, their PG benefit (extra 50 per cent off) would apply as well.

Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director
Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

Forum Letter

The Straits Times, 29 April 2015

Extend subsidy to non-standard drugs

AS A Pioneer Generation cardholder, I am delighted that I will get an additional 50 per cent subsidy on the outpatient consultation bill and subsidised medicine.

Unfortunately, most of the drugs prescribed by the doctors are classified as "non-standard" and charged without subsidy.

A good example would be the medication for eye diseases - these are mostly non-standard.

Could the additional subsidy for medication be extended to non-standard drugs if the doctors deem them necessary for the Pioneer Generation cardholder?

Henry Lim Chong Leong