The National Drug System Development Committee has announced an action plan for Thailand’s Drug System Development B.E. 2566-2570 (2013-2017). The plan aims to boost potential for innovation research, which will create value for the country of over 10,000 million baht. The aim is also to promote the production of medicinal raw materials and herbs in the country, reducing reliance on imports while enhancing exports. The goal is for the country to move towards rational use of medicines, stabilizing the drug system on the basis of medicine research and development so that the general public can gain access to quality and safe medicine.  

Today (4 March 2024), Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Drug System Development Committee, revealed after the meeting that the Committee has announced an action plan for Thailand's Drug System Development B.E. 2566-2570 (2013-2017). The action plan consists of 4 main strategies: 1) to promote the pharmaceutical industry by participating in research and development of medicine innovations, 2) to develop a mechanism for universal access to medicine and to maintain reasonable medicine prices, both in normal and emergency situations, 3) to develop a mechanism leading the country towards rational use of medicines, with collaborations from all concerned sectors, and 4) to promote information management to manage the integrated drug systems. The committee also approved a plan to promote short-term domestic production of medicinal raw materials and herbs, such as Andrographis paniculata extract, as well as to accelerate development towards a model country of rational use of medicines by 2032.

 Implementation of the action plan will help increase the potential of the pharmaceutical industry in the country. It will push for rapid research on innovative medicines and create value for the country of more than 10,000 million baht. It will also enhance the general public’s access to essential medicines through a mechanism to improve the national list of essential medicines, which contains important medicines such as 2 medicines to control alcohol cravings, i.e. naltrexone and acamprosate. The “acellular pertussis vaccine” for pregnant women has also been added to the list, aiming to help strengthen the immunity of every newborn child. In addition, 2 more herbs were added to the National List of Essential Medicines to promote access to and use of herbal medicines in the health service system. The plan also seeks to control costs by setting a median price for high-cost medicines. This is expected to save government expenses by more than 800 million baht per year in 2024 and help drive the country towards rational use of medicines, which is in line with the WHO guidelines.

Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin reiterated that the government will drive the action plan for Thailand’s Drug System Development B.E. 2566-2570 (2013-2017) in an evident manner. There will be a plan to accelerate (innovations) the health product economy alongside the push to draft a comprehensive law to promote such economy. The government also requested that all concerned sectors collaborate to drive the drug system to stability through research and development, and to ensure that the country has a continuous and timely supply of essential medicines for use in both normal and emergency situations.

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News Publication Date: 4 March 2024