The cost of medical treatment for five illnesses at private hospitals with Starbucks outlets is about three times that of hospitals without one of the US-based coffee chain cafes, a study by a National Legislative Assembly (NLA) panel has concluded.
The sub-committee, chaired by Dr Sarana Boonchaiyapruk, is tasked with scrutinising prices for medical treatment.
Dr Sarana said prices for treatment for each of the five most common medical disorders at private hospitals with Starbucks outlets were on average 290,000 baht. This compared to 100,000 baht for the same treatment at hospitals with no global coffee chain outlet.
The five diseases are acute coronary thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel of the heart, appendix surgery, cataract surgery, knee joint surgery and treatment for colds.
The findings also showed that private hospitals listed on the stock market charged an average of 209,000 baht for treating each of those five illnesses, while the prices were 98,000 baht for the same treatment at hospitals which were not listed on the stock market, Dr Sarana said, according to a Post Today report.
When comparing prices of medical treatment for the five illnesses at private hospitals and public hospitals, the study found that private hospitals charged 1.8 times more than public hospitals for treating acute coronary thrombosis, 3.4 times more for appendix surgery, 3 times more for knee joint surgery, 1.5 times more for cataract surgery and 3.4 times more for treating colds, the chairman of the NLA sub-panel said.
Dr Sarana earlier said the NLA had assigned his panel to make the study and propose possible solutions following public complaints of excessively high prices charged by private hospitals.
Last month, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed the Public Health and the Commerce ministries to set standard median prices for medical care and medicines at private hospitals.
Median prices for medical care and medicines offered at private hospitals should meet international standards, especially since Thailand was preparing to join the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of this year, Gen Prayut earlier said during the cabinet meeting.
The move followed complaints about overpriced services and drugs at some hospitals.