Food and Drug Administration (FDA) joins forces with Provincial Health Offices nationwide to drive consumer protection in health products in 2025, ensuring confidence in the safety of health products. The focus is on developing a regulatory system that is global, modern, transparent, and responsive to the digital era, while supporting Thai businesses to thrive and become sustainable.

On 25 November 2024, Dr. Surachoke Tangwiwat, Secretary-General of the FDA, chaired the annual meeting to share strategies and policies with Provincial Health Offices, as well as develop plans for the fiscal year 2025, with representatives from the Provincial Health Offices participating in the session.

Dr. Surachoke Tangwiwat explained that rapid advancements in technology have made it easier for consumers to access advertisements or health products that are illegal or unsafe, posing risks to public safety. In response, the FDA is adjusting its operations to address these challenges. For 2025, the FDA's approach will focus on global standards, modernity, transparency, and wealth creation toward sustainable development, under the initiative "Elevate Thai FDA." This includes improving consumer protection and approval processes for health products according to international standards, making it easier for businesses at all levels, enhancing transparency in tracking applications for product approval, promoting healthy products that help reduce chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and fostering prosperity by supporting new businesses and local entrepreneurs. Collaboration with the Provincial Health Offices and the FDA's network across the country will also be key.

The work across the country will be linked from policy to strategy, ensuring unified efforts and consistent international service standards across all provinces. There will be transparency, accountability, and monitoring. The FDA has developed plans to transfer duties and decentralize authority to regional offices, providing support and preparing human resources for consumer protection efforts, with a comprehensive system in place. In all aspects of development, the FDA emphasizes the importance of data for efficient planning, offering opportunities for all sectors to contribute to research and innovation to enhance consumer protection work.

The FDA Secretary-General further stated that this annual meeting is a significant step in advancing nationwide consumer protection efforts for health products, building consumer confidence and ensuring that people receive safe health products. It also confirms the commitment to ensuring Thai businesses meet international standards and are competitive in the global market.

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News Publication Date: 26 November 2024