People register for health check-ups at a healthcare facility in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Health insurance patients who have to buy their own medication or medical supplies due to shortages at medical facilities will be reimbursed under a proposal by the Ministry of Health.

The proposal aims to tackle the ongoing issue of insufficient availability of medication and medical supplies in healthcare facilities, which forces patients to buy their own supplies at much higher prices than those covered by health insurance.

The patients have two options for purchasing medication and medical supplies under the proposal: at the hospital's pharmacy where the patient is receiving treatment, or at pharmacies that have won the bid to provide services at a certain medical facility.

To be reimbursed, the patients will need to provide a prescription from their doctors, as well as an invoice for the purchase of the medication or supplies.

According to the proposal, hospitals will be required to conduct procurement tenders to ensure a consistent and adequate supply of medication. 

If a hospital is unable to provide the necessary medication and supplies, it must transfer the patients to a facility that can guide the patients on where to purchase the items, and inform the Health Insurance Agency.

Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan ordered medical facilities to ensure enough medicine is available and not allow patients to purchase medication from outside sources during inpatient treatment, as there are risks associated with the quality, safety, and cost of medications.

The Ministry of Health has requested that the Health Insurance Department develop a circular to safeguard the rights of health insurance beneficiaries who have to buy their own medication.

Experts have also pointed out the slow process of updating the list of drugs covered by health insurance for patients in Việt Nam, with new drugs taking an average of two to four years to be added. 

Experts have urged for faster adjustments to the list to keep up with other countries’ timelines for new drug additions. — VNS