After Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul kicked off the project "Healthy Body, Comfortable Wallet" uniting the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public Health, and private hospitals to reduce living costs for the public,
recently the Ministry of Commerce (Department of Internal Trade), Ministry of Public Health (Health Service Support Department and the Food and Drug Administration), and the Private Hospital Association jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the "Healthy Body, Comfortable Wallet" project. The goal is for private hospitals to disclose drug costs and allow the public to choose to purchase medicine outside the hospitals, increasing options for private healthcare services.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated this collaboration is a good opportunity to provide people with more medical treatment options and improve their quality of life—promoting better health and more money in their pockets. He said he instructed the Ministries of Commerce and Public Health to find ways to ease medical expenses together. This aligns with the Quick Big Win policy of the government to reduce living costs, as presented to Parliament.
This project advances cooperation between the government and private sector by requiring private hospitals to disclose medicine and drug prices, thus expanding patient options. Patients can now choose to buy drugs externally, alleviating medical costs. Over 300 private hospitals nationwide have joined so far.
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cooperated closely by selecting pharmacies to join the project. The public can use prescriptions from private hospitals to buy medicine at pharmacies registered with the FDA and marked with the “Healthy Body, Comfortable Wallet” logo—now numbering over 3,400 stores—or via Telepharmacy registered with the Pharmacy Council. Patients can consult about medicine and prices, ensuring they purchase from quality, standardized pharmacies. This is expected to reduce living costs by at least 32 billion baht annually.
"The government is confident that cooperation between the public and private sectors will improve people’s living standards, ease living expenses, and sustainably enhance the country’s overall quality of life and economy," Anutin said.
The significant amount of over 32 billion baht annually is not just a macroeconomic figure but directly impacts the personal finances of every citizen burdened by medical expenses.
The "Healthy Body, Comfortable Wallet" project is therefore a key tool to change how Thais manage healthcare spending, especially drug costs, which rank among the highest hospital expenses.
It also increases consumer bargaining power. By requiring private hospitals to disclose drug prices and allowing patients to buy medicine externally with prescriptions, the project creates a concrete price competition mechanism in the market. Patients can compare and select medicines at fairer, more appropriate prices rather than being tied to hospital-only drug purchases.
Additionally, it reduces immediate expenses for those needing private hospital care. Lower drug costs significantly ease financial burdens, leaving more money for other expenses or emergency health savings.
The project also promotes Telepharmacy options. Registered Telepharmacy channels with the Pharmacy Council enable patients to consult pharmacists and inquire about drug prices easily, leveraging digital technology for greater convenience and price transparency before purchase decisions.
Meanwhile, hospitals, clinics, and businesses have announced their participation and launched promotions to support this policy, such as Principal Capital Public Company Limited (PRINC) or PRINC Group, operating hospitals and health services, is among the private hospitals officially joining the "Healthy Body, Comfortable Wallet" project to support government efforts to reduce healthcare expenses. PRINC's 16 hospitals nationwide are offering 62 affordable health service items focused on preventive care and lowering essential costs, from 4 Nov 2025 to 31 Jan 2026.
PRINC Group selected four main services under the "One-Price" campaign to provide public access to basic health care at special prices across its network, including
Similarly, Central Food Retail Group has included its Tops Care and Matsukiyo pharmacies in the project, providing services under strict safety standards and close supervision by professional pharmacists. The public can access services at 48 Tops Care branches and two Matsukiyo branches (CentralWorld and Ratchadamri) starting now.
Covering treatment, care, and health promotion in all dimensions, they also offer TeleMed and TelePharm services enabling consultations with doctors and pharmacists via chat or video call, along with home delivery. Tops Care has joined the Quality Pharmacy project with the Pharmacy Council to assure consumers of safe, quality service standards.
Expanding patient choice and decision-making power will drive major changes in private sector business dynamics, especially marketing and service strategies to remain competitive today, including
1. Adaptation of private hospitals
With patients able to buy medicine externally, over 300 private hospitals nationwide participating in the project must shift marketing strategies away from "profits from drugs and medical supplies" toward focusing on "excellence in medical services."
2. Business opportunities for pharmacies
This project presents a significant business opportunity for over 3,400 pharmacies and Telepharmacy channels registered with the FDA.
The "Healthy Body, Comfortable Wallet" project is therefore not only a measure to reduce living costs but also enhances transparency in the national health service system and stimulates promotions for maximum public benefit. This will lead to better health alongside secure and sustainable financial well-being for Thai people.
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