NHSO and GPO overhaul drug dispensary system

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) cooperates with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) in curbing a medicine dispensary system of hospitals across the country after the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that hospitals worldwide dispense drugs more than necessary.

Deputy Secretary-General of NHSO Md.Winai Sawasdiworn (วินัย สวัสดิวร) discloses that more than 50% of medicines prescribed by hospitals are used unnecessarily and harmfully. As for Thailand, the average of 50 billion baht is spent annually for drug consumption or 35% compared to the expense on health care while developed countries spends only 10% - 20%.

NHSO and GPO therefore initiated a project to make a standardized “drug list” in compliance with the National List of Essential Drugs. The project is aimed to strengthen pharmacotherapy committees in hospitals nationwide and improve the drug dispensation system. Hospitals from 18 provinces have participated in the project so far, including those in Phrae (แพร่), Lampang (ลำปาง), Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก), Nakhon Sawan (นครสวรรค์), Ayutthaya (อยุธยา), and Saraburi (สระบุรี).

In the meantime, Secretary-General of GPO Md.Siriwat Thiptharadon (ศิริวัฒน์ ทิพย์ธราดล) reports that GPO is drafting a medicine bill in line with the National Health Act. He expects that the medicine bill can boost international communities’ confidence in Thailand’s drug production industry and the National List of Essential Drugs.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 July 2007

"As for Thailand, the average of 50 billion baht is spent annually for drug consumption or 35% compared to the expense on health care while developed countries spends only 10% - 20%. "

And there is the proof of what everybody has been saying for so long - over medication.

Whilst there is general agreement that over-medication is rife in Thailand, the figures above carry no conviction that they do anything to prove the case.

A big difference between Thailand's and 'developed' countries' costs in providing health care must be in the proportions spent on wages and salaries. That will 'skew' the comparision of the proportions spent for all other sectors.

In tackling over-enthusiastic dispensation of medications, Thailand is responding to a problem in the way that Britain did about twenty five years ago.

Considering how 'undeveloped' Thailand was fifty years ago (100 years behind the times?), it is catching up very fast in so many ways.

Whilst there is general agreement that over-medication is rife in Thailand, the figures above carry no conviction that they do anything to prove the case.

A big difference between Thailand's and 'developed' countries' costs in providing health care must be in the proportions spent on wages and salaries. That will 'skew' the comparision of the proportions spent for all other sectors.

In tackling over-enthusiastic dispensation of medications, Thailand is responding to a problem in the way that Britain did about twenty five years ago.

Considering how 'undeveloped' Thailand was fifty years ago (100 years behind the times?), it is catching up very fast in so many ways.

Errm they are talking about % of health care budget spent on medication not % of GDP or whatever.

How did Britain respond agan - remind me?

What were the proportions of the health care budget spent on medication in the UK at the time - please remind me but i tell you waht - I will buy you a nice big ice cream if it was anywhere near 35% of the NHS budget!

As for 100 years behind 50 years ago what does than mean? Who determines "The times"?