Debated in Parliament on 3 Nov 2014.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Health with the concern on rising healthcare costs (a) whether there are guidelines for doctors to prescribe medication that is the most efficacious and not the most expensive for the Pioneer Generation (PG); and (b) what ways are there to deter those using the PG cards from being prescribed more expensive medicines.
The Government provides subsidies for drugs on the Standard Drugs List or under the Medication Assistance Fund at our public healthcare institutions. These are drugs that have already been assessed to be clinically- and cost-effective.
In our public healthcare institutions, Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) committees determine which drugs are available and how doctors should use them. The ordering of higher cost drugs by doctors is also managed and monitored to ensure that they are clinically necessary for managing the patients' conditions. This is in line with our continued efforts to encourage our doctors to use clinically- and cost-effective generic drugs when possible and appropriate.
There are published clinical practice guidelines which provide guidance to both public and private sector doctors on how best to treat disease conditions and the appropriate use of drugs. Doctors are ethically required to act in the best interests of their patients, including those who are PGs. This would include being aware of current best practices and providing their patients with cost-effective treatments. We strongly encourage doctors to prescribe generic drugs where possible, as they would be more affordable for patients than branded equivalents. We also encourage patients to engage their doctors on their treatment and charges and ask about using generics where possible. My Ministry will continue to monitor the claims made by clinics treating PGs and those under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). Clinics have been and will continue to be called upon to account for any exceptional claims.
PAPERCUTS