Amount Spent and Subsidy Given for Supplements Dispensed to Pregnant Patients at Public Hospitals and Polyclinics

Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Health with regard to the health supplements dispensed by our public hospitals and polyclinics, such as folic acid and iron supplements, for pregnant patients (a) in each of the last three years, what have been (i) the amounts spent by patients and (ii) the amounts of subsidy paid by the Government; and (b) how do our medical institutions ensure that these products meet the prescribed levels of supplement required by the patients.

Folic acid and iron supplements are necessary for many expectant mothers and are subsidised under our Standard Drug List. Subsidised patients receive up to 75% subsidy for these supplements, depending on their means.

In the last three years, the average amounts paid by subsidised patients for folic acid and iron supplements over the course of their pregnancy were $3 and $30 respectively. Overall, the total subsidies provided by the Government for the supplements were $11,300, $15,400 and $17,300 in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Whilst a daily dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid is generally sufficient for low-risk pregnancies, expectant mothers are typically prescribed five milligrams of folic acid per day. This is based on the recommended daily dose from preconception to the initial 12 weeks of pregnancy when there is higher risk of the foetus developing neural tube defects.

As for iron supplements, most doctors prescribe routine iron tablets as general supplement from 20 weeks of pregnancy onwards. However, doctors also check for anaemia in the first trimester and also after 28 weeks of pregnancy to determine if a higher dose of iron supplement is warranted.