Review subsidy policy on non-standard drugs

Currently, subsidies are given for standard medicine prescribed to patients in polyclinics and government hospitals.

No subsidies are given for non-standard medicine.

It may be time to change this policy.

Non-standard medicine includes drugs that are expensive. Subsidising these costly drugs would be helpful for Singaporeans who are not well off.

Times have changed, and the authorities should review their policy with a view to subsidising all medicine dispensed to patients in polyclinics and government hospitals.

Pavithran Vidyadharan

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