Starting next week, private hospitals will have to display the price of medicines so that consumers can make better-informed decisions prior to purchase.
Moreover, private hospitals must also give patients the opportunity to buy medicines from pharmacies outside the hospital system using prescriptions provided by their doctors.
Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the acting commerce minister, who chaired the meeting of the Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services, said the committee had approved these proposals.
"Prices of medicines must be shown either on the hospital's website or via QR codes on a chart displayed clearly at the hospital," she said.
Those who do not comply with the requirements will be subject to a fine of not more than 10,000 baht and/or imprisonment of not more than one year, Ms Chutima said.
There are 30,103 medicines on the Thai Medicine Terminology list, however, only 3,000 medicines, which are widely used under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (Ucep) scheme have prices displayed at private hospitals.
The Ucep programme also mandates compulsory emergency healthcare for up to 72 hours in any hospital in Thailand.
This scheme, which came into effect on April 1, 2017, enables those who require emergency medical care to treatment at their nearest hospital for a period of 72 hours at zero cost.
Regarding prescriptions, private hospitals have to clearly identify medicines -- both the trade and scientific name.
Those who fail to comply with the rule will face up to five years in jail and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht.
According to Ms Chutima, private hospitals must also inform the Internal Trade Department of the prices at which they buy and sell medicines. Moreover, before hospitals raise the price of any medicine, they must inform the department 15 days in advance.
"The central committee has considered these measures under the principles of fairness, consumer choice and responsibility," insisted Ms Chutima.
On Jan 22, the cabinet approved the Commerce Ministry's proposal to put medical and healthcare expenses on the state price control list as part of an effort to curb price-gouging amid growing concerns over the high cost of private medical care.
In a related development, Ms Chutima said the central committee also approved the establishment of a separate subcommittee to study the appropriate cost structure for medical supplies and medical service charges nationwide.
The new subcommittee is comprised of two groups: central and provincial.
The central working panel is chaired by Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, while the provincial panel will be chaired by provincial governors.
There are 868 items listed as medical supplies and 5,286 as medical services.
Earlier, the Internal Trade Department analysed the cost structure of 3,892 medicines widely used under the scheme and found that 353 private hospitals charge patients a 300%-900% markup on top of production costs.