BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Commerce is moving forward with one of its urgent cost-of-living measures, giving patients receiving treatment at private hospitals the option to purchase prescribed medicines from external pharmacies.
The initiative, led by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, aims to reduce medical expenses and increase consumer choice. More than 300 private hospitals have already agreed to participate, with an MOU signing ceremony to officially launch the project scheduled for October 28, 2025, at Government House.
Wittayakorn Maneenetr, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, said the ministry has coordinated with the Private Hospital Association, the Department of Health Service Support, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complete guidelines for the new system. Hospitals will be required to show full medicine lists and pricing before payment and allow patients to buy their prescriptions outside the hospital. The policy aims to ease financial pressure on the public while ensuring transparency, safety, and continued access to high-quality medicines.
For safety and convenience, patients who wish to buy medicines outside the hospital should inform their doctor during consultation so that a prescription can be issued. Some drugs, especially those for chronic and serious conditions, will still be dispensed by hospitals to ensure proper supervision.
Participating pharmacies must be registered and employ licensed pharmacists. Smaller shops, such as those in convenience stores, will be limited to selling general over-the-counter medicines. The FDA will manage registration and introduce a sticker label system to make approved pharmacies easy to identify. The ministry will also conduct further consultations with pharmacy representatives to ensure a clear understanding of operational procedures and compliance with project standards.
The first phase of the initiative is projected to reduce household expenses by more than 32.4 billion baht, with additional hospitals expected to join before the official launch. Meanwhile, a second phase is being developed to review medicine cost structures and promote fairer pricing practices—not through direct price controls, but by enhancing transparency and accountability throughout the healthcare supply chain. (NNT)
