Abstract
There are some practical models of community pharmacy provision in Thailand that are coordinated
with hospitals in providing care for cases of stable diabetes and hypertension. This study was aimed
at estimating the impact on budgets of incorporating community pharmacy into the Universal Health
Coverage Scheme in providing care for cases of stable diabetes and hypertension. First, secondary data
were reviewed to estimate the supply and demand of community pharmacy services. Unit cost analysis of
the community pharmacy activities were situation, using the activity-based costing technique. Finally,
the budget impact analysis was estimated under the model of refill medication at the community pharmacy.
The timeframe of this study was January to September 2009. The result showed that the budget
impact of community pharmacy in providing medication refill for stable diabetes varied between 182 and
1,044 baht per patient, or between 194,740 and 1,117,080 baht per hospital. Regarding the budget impact
for medication refill in stable hypertension, the average expenditure ranged from 182 to 1,098 baht per
patient, or 242,242 to 1,461,438 baht per hospital. It may be concluded that the community pharmacy
could be a part of an integrated package of care for people with long-term conditions, such as stable
diabetes and hypertension. However, a financial incentive is required to meet additional costs and to
connect community pharmacies to the Universal Health Coverage Scheme. Co-payments may be used in
this program to prevent inappropriate utilization.
