Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thailand has taken a significant step in healthcare advancement with the inauguration of its first cancer medication manufacturing facility, operated by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy. This state-of-the-art establishment, located at the Phimanmas Residence in Chon Buri's Sattahip district, is a milestone in the nation's quest to enhance pharmaceutical independence and provide cost-effective cancer treatment.

 

This groundbreaking project was spearheaded by Professor Doctor Chulabhorn Walailak, a member of the Thai royal family and president of the Academy. Driven by a commitment to improve cancer patients' access to vital medications, the facility aims to bridge scientific research with pharmaceutical production, enhancing Thailand's pharmaceutical security.

 

The facility, a comprehensive four-storey structure, integrates production units, engineering spaces, quality control laboratories, and a data management centre. It employs OEB5 standard machinery for a containment production process, ensuring safety for workers and the environment while maintaining high drug quality.

 

One of the flagship products of this facility is IMCRANIB 100, a targeted treatment for various cancers, including leukaemia, gastrointestinal cancers, and rare skin cancers. Already registered with the Food and Drug Administration, this medication is set to be incorporated into the public health system by the end of 2025, promising wider accessibility for patients.

 

By producing medications domestically, Thailand expects to significantly reduce its reliance on costly imports, easing the financial burden on patients. This development is not just about reducing costs; it’s about improving access to essential treatment for those in need.

 

Doctor Watchara Kanjanagwinakul, the facility's director, highlighted the plant's production capacity, which can manufacture between 30,000 and 150,000 tablets per cycle. Future plans include increasing production capacity and diversifying into other cancer medications, further bolstering Thailand's pharmaceutical capabilities.

 

The new facility is not only a step forward in cutting down drug import expenses but also advances pharmaceutical knowledge in the country. It represents a pivotal move towards elevating Thailand's pharmaceutical industry, ensuring sustainable public health in alignment with Princess Chulabhorn’s vision.

 

This development marks an essential juncture in Thailand’s healthcare history, promising to enhance the nation’s resilience against cancer and improve overall health outcomes for its citizens.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-31

 

 

Best of luck, Thai cancer patients deserve all the help they can get

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

including leukaemia

More specifically CML.

I am curious to know just how much the government is going to charge farangs for this medicine. I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in October 2023, and the first batch of Imatinib (same as the IMCRANIB 100) that I purchased from the hospital was imported from The Netherlands, and it only cost me $23 for a month's supply. I came back 30 days later and was told they no longer import that brand, and I had to pay $200 per month for an imported brand from India. My first thought was it had to be a money grab from the local government hospital. When one has leukemia, this is the only medication available to keep the disease at bay, so the hospital knows that we will pay whatever price they charge. Someone has been getting rich off the government's subsidies to their own hospitals; plus, the profits they make from the poor souls who have to pay out of pocket for their meds.....like me!

55 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Thai cancer patients

As I understand it, to be available through Thailand's National Healthcare system (ie., Chulabhorn Oncology Medical Centre) to Thai citizen cancer patients and foreigners through Thai marriage. 

According to Chulabhorn OCM,  IMCRANIB 100 replaces imported Dasatinib 50mg priced by Chulabhorn OCM at about 22,000 baht per 60 tablets. As of mid-July 2025 the pricing for IMCRANIB was unknown. 

The problem I have with CML medications in general is comparing their efficacy, ie., ability to target CML cancer cells. It appears that efficacy is in part at least to the quality of the ingredients. Nowhere have I found disclosures of CML efficacy, albeit imports from European country manufacturers appear to be substantially higher in costs than imports from India.