Non-Chronic Illnesses and Drug Cost and Input

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Zainal Sapari
MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

Question No. 737

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what are the non-chronic illnesses that outpatients are largely treated for; and (b) what is the average cost of medication for such outpatient treatments over the last two years.

Written Reply

1    Common outpatient non-chronic illnesses seen at the primary care setting include the common cold, diarrhea, vomiting, sprains and strains.

2    Between 2015 and 2016, the average total bill size of a non-chronic attendance at polyclinics was about $16 for Singapore Citizens after Government subsidies.  This includes an average cost of medications of $4.

3    Over the same period, Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Pioneer Generation (PG) cardholders at General Practitioner (GP) clinics participating in CHAS paid slightly more than $20 per visit on average for non-chronic attendances, including medications.  Before CHAS subsidies were applied, their average bill was $45 per visit, about half of which was medication costs.

4    At our public healthcare institutions, including polyclinics, patients who have concerns about their medical bills, may apply for financial assistance, such as Medifund.