Health coverage makes Thailand attractive market for pharmaceuticals

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Health coverage makes Thailand attractive market for pharmaceuticals
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND REMAINS one of the most demographically attractive pharmaceutical markets in the world, with more than 99 per cent of its population having some form of health-insurance coverage last year, according to US-based Decision Resources.

"The success of Thailand's healthcare systems is underpinned by its three major public health-insurance schemes, particularly the universal coverage scheme," said Jonathan Chan, an analyst of Decision Resources, a research and advisory firm for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues.

"Despite the politically turbulent environment characterised by violent periodic protests, Thailand's universal coverage scheme remains a popular policy with the general population, with satisfaction levels reaching as high as 93 per cent among users and 79 per cent among providers in recent years," he added.

Policy review

He also noted that while the government's commitment to ensuring access to healthcare services for the whole population is welcome news for foreign manufacturers, the rising cost of providing healthcare for its ageing population had prompted the government to review its health-spending patterns and reimbursement policies.

"In the coming years, the government will likely impose greater cost-containment measures through price cuts and more stringent HTA [health technology assessment] evaluation for reimbursement."

Decision Resources said Thailand's extensive network of healthcare facilities, comprehensive health-insurance policies and strong medical-tourism industry were among the major factors driving growth of the pharmaceutical market since healthcare reforms were introduced in 2001.

The universal coverage scheme, the country's largest health-insurance policy, ensures that the vast majority of the population has access to medical care.

With a US$4.7-billion (Bt151.74 billion) prescription-drug market this year and nationwide access to health services, Thailand possesses a number of favourable factors for multinational companies looking to establish a strong presence in the region.

According to the Thailand Market Access Tracker, the country's regulatory environment is relatively friendly to foreign manufacturers, although its laws protecting intellectual property are weak.

In 2011, the government funded 75 per cent of the country's total health expenditure, while out-of-pocket expenditure was 14 per cent, indicating a relatively low financial burden for the population.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

[brianP]

One would be wise to look to alternative medicines, especially here with the ancient oriental herbal medicines.

[Local Drunk]

Thanks, but I already have a dealer.

[noikrit]

Can this place get any more "attractive" for Pharmaceuticals ..........

[tim armstrong]

Can this place get any more "attractive" for Pharmaceuticals ..........

What a good piece of spin by the pharmas and their lobbyist. I wonder if anyone is interested in over prescribing, and I don't blame the doctors.

[JoeThePoster]

It also helps that pharmacies don't insist on seeing a prescription.

[Pib]

Durn right Thailand is a good market for pharmaceuticals because Thai doctors/hospitals hand out pills like they are candy and the Thai patient would feel short changed and untreated unless he/she went home with a plastic bag full of different medications---one of which is always being 500mg paracetamol tabs (i.e., headache/pain reliever). Thais like their pills (when all but free under the 30 baht coverage program). Plus, anyone can walk into a so called pharmacy and get most any medication under the sun without any prescription. Yeap, Thailand is a good place to sell pills...but of course some western pharmaceutical companies are constantly trying to sue some Thai pharmaceutical companies for drug patent violations.

[harryfrompattaya]

Can this place get any more "attractive" for Pharmaceuticals ..........

Do these pills work that is important question?

[salavan]

the HUB of pharmaceuticals

[bluegum]

I'm a little surprised to see such a report now, given that glaxosmithkline has just announced steps to curb some conflict-of-interest issues regarding payments to doctors for promoting its drugs.

Societies around the globe should be more focused on prevention of illness, and not let profit-seeking big pharma dominate the health industry (including influence on medical schools) with their prescription bias. The over-prescribing of pills in Thailand is shameful. Near perfect market conditions for the big companies. What chance that Thailand leads the way in prescription reform?? We all know the answer to that....

[salavan]

Can this place get any more "attractive" for Pharmaceuticals ..........

Do these pills work that is important question?

proberly fake

[belg]

step 1 : import the idea of a fast food generation (same as west) to make people sick, control the food production or at least make them believe them have to buy their chemicals, pesticides, insecticides

(remember the story where the rice farmer claimed he did not even dare to eat his own rice + spraying the crop + spraying in storage)

step 2 : same chemical giant also sells pills, drugs, to claim help with the new deseases people are getting: fat, diabetes, cancer... good marketing for pharma industry

win win situation for big pharma

Edited December 19, 2013 by belg

[Halion]

This is a dream market for the Pharma company's owing to several factors. Thai companies just sit in the wings waiting for patents to run out and other times they simply clone the patented drug claiming that it has a generic difference.

The lack of regulation allow Thai's to self medicate based on the educated medical opinion of their local som tam seller.. There is a massive range of prescription medications that are dispensed across the counter and another massive range that are devoid of control. It is truly a medical nightmare with people taking antibiotics recommended by friends and neighbors.

Many of the young pharmacists I have dealt with personally have only a very shallow knowledge of their trade, yet I have seen them discussing symptoms and available remedies with customers.

Even with the clinics here there appears to be an attitude of blunder bust medication with a mild respiratory ailment requiring anti -biotic's, decongestants, anti -inflammatory 's and the standard bottle of cough syrup. Yes indeed a very lucrative market.