Johannesburg - The Board of Healthcare Funders says it is clear from the terms of reference for the market inquiry into private healthcare that it will not only focus on costs, but also examine other questions.
The board welcomed the terms of reference for the market inquiry into private healthcare. It is a representative body for medical schemes in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
"The BHF is extremely encouraged that both the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries are listed specifically in the terms of reference and that the issue of regulatory failure has also been specifically included," the organisation said.
The terms of reference have been gazetted by the Competition Commission.
It said the commission would also examine questions of efficiencies and quality within the sector.
The inquiry was expected to start on 6 January and would be completed by November 2015.
Evidence would be gathered through public hearings, reviews of secondary material, information requests, consultations, and summons.
"The inquiry will probe the private healthcare sector holistically to determine the factors that restrict, prevent, or distort competition, and underlie increases in private healthcare prices and expenditure in South Africa," said the commission.
The board welcomed the terms of reference for the market inquiry into private healthcare. It is a representative body for medical schemes in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
"The BHF is extremely encouraged that both the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries are listed specifically in the terms of reference and that the issue of regulatory failure has also been specifically included," the organisation said.
The terms of reference have been gazetted by the Competition Commission.
It said the commission would also examine questions of efficiencies and quality within the sector.
The inquiry was expected to start on 6 January and would be completed by November 2015.
Evidence would be gathered through public hearings, reviews of secondary material, information requests, consultations, and summons.
"The inquiry will probe the private healthcare sector holistically to determine the factors that restrict, prevent, or distort competition, and underlie increases in private healthcare prices and expenditure in South Africa," said the commission.