Update on Usage of Medication Assistance Fund

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Health (a) if he can provide an update on the utilisation of the Medication Assistance Fund since the coverage for certain drugs has increased up to 75%; and (b) whether there are plans to review the drug eligibility lists and subsidy available for medical implants in public hospitals.

The Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) helps Singaporeans better afford selected high cost drugs in our public hospitals. We enhanced the MAF in October 2011 and increased the subsidy from 50% to up to 75%. We also expanded the scheme to cover non-standard drugs that doctors have assessed to be clinically necessary and appropriate for the treatment of the patient's condition. As of December 2012, more than 6,000 MAF applications have been approved, amounting to $6 million in assistance to patients.

Through subsidies for drugs on the Standard Drug List (SDL) and the MAF, we help to keep the cost of drugs affordable for Singaporeans. We regularly review the SDL and MAF, and on 1 April this year, we added another 17 new drugs into the SDL and MAF, including second-generation insulin products and insulin penfills, to lower the cost of medication to diabetic patients.

The Member also asked about subsidies for medical implants. Currently, subsidised patients at our public hospitals enjoy a 50% subsidy on medical implants, up to a dollar cap of $1,000. This subsidy cap is sufficient to cover almost 90% of implants used in public hospitals. MOH will continue to regularly review the subsidy caps to keep the cost of implants affordable.

Over and above the subsidy schemes, patients who require additional help with their bills can approach the hospitals' medical social workers for financial assistance.