A DOCTOR is furious at patients selling medicine they got for free under the universal healthcare programme online pointing out that this policy is aiming at ensuring that people don’t go bankrupt from medical treatment and should not be used to generate income, TV Channel 7 said today (Dec. 17).
Dr. Somros Phonglamai, a doctor at the Rehabilitation Medicine Centre, shared a post by Dr. A, a pulmonologist in Nakhon Ratchasima, who said he had come across patients who were selling medicine they got for free at a Facebook mothers group.
He pointed out that while they got medicine free of charge, taxpayers are in fact footing the bill and he had already informed the National Health Security Office, the Social Security Office and the Comptroller General’s Department of this scam.
Photos of the medicine being sold show that the packets are still intact.
One picture displays a nasal spray for treating allergies and stuffy nose priced at 450 baht with there being four more available and free delivery. Another photo shows a nasal spray for treating autoimmune symptoms with the price quoted being 350 baht and free delivery.
Netizens who read this post slammed people selling medicine they got for free pointing out that if the system is adjusted those who are really sick and live far away from hospital and cannot come to see the doctor often would be affected.
Some asked whether people have to cheat on everything, even free welfare.
Others said if you make people pay for medicine they complain if you give it to them free they sell it, those caught doing so should be punished by being made to pay for medicine so that they realise how expensive it is.
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Two posts advertising the sale of free medicine. Photo: TV Channel 7
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