The Current Situation of the Herbal Medicinal Product System in Thailand

Abstract

This report aimed to review and update current situation of herbal medicinal product (HMP) system of Thailand and provide recommendations for sustainable development of HMP system. Research papers and official database and documents of public and private agencies on related subjects were compiled and brain storming of experts in the field was then performed to formulate recommendations. It was found that although government policy to promote the use of HMPs in public health services was issued for more than 40 years, inputs of HMP system, i.e. industry, research and development, and human resources, are not efficient enough to effectively support advancement of HMP system and directly impact on HMP management. Regarding the selection of HMP, registration of the products has noticeably grown; however, very few scientifically-developed HMP got license. In addition, only 10% of the medicines selected into the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) were HMPs. For the procurement of HMP in public health service facilities, similar to western medicine products, the purchase price must not exceed the standard price of each item of HMP, yet only 25 items of HMP have standard prices established. Concerning the distribution of HMP, the information regarding where HMP are distributed to is still lacking, but it becomes clear that an increasing number of HMPs are distributed to consumers via online channel. Regulatory measure is therefore needed to prevent the risk of distribution of HMP via improper channel. In terms of the utilization of HMP, in 2017 the value of HMP reimbursed from three public health security systems was 274.6 million baht. Major challenges on the development of HMP system are the quality of herbal materials and HMPs as well as the availability of the products that meet the requirements of Thai traditional medicine practitioners and medical doctors in the health service system.