The Thai government convened a key meeting on October 7, 2025, aiming to improve transparency in healthcare service pricing and empower patient choice through the ‘Healthy Body, Happy Wallet’ initiative—part of its ‘Quick Big Win’ policy.
The Department of Internal Trade, together with the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Private Hospital Association, garnered participation from over 300 private hospitals. Major hospital groups have joined, pledging to disclose drug lists and costs on patient receipts.
Patients will soon have the option to purchase prescribed medications from more than 20,000 participating outside pharmacies, potentially easing financial burdens related to hospital treatment. This initiative is set for official launch on October 28 after a final preparatory meeting scheduled for October 10.
Krungsri Securities (KSS) views this as a positive move for the hospital sector, clarifying that such transparency measures are not new: most leading healthcare providers already comply with regulations introduced in 2019.
The analyst noted that recent gains in hospital stock prices on Tuesday suggest investor relief that the government has not introduced tougher drug price controls.
According to KSS, the outlook for the healthcare sector remains ‘Neutral,’ with Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (SET: BDMS) and Bangkok Chain Hospital (SET: BCH) identified as top picks. The brokerage firm gives both companies a ‘Buy’ recommendation with target prices set at THB 28 and THB 17 per share, respectively.
