Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year span

Background: Following a 2007 report by the Thai Food and Drug Administration highlighting disparities in drug pricing across different sectors, there has been a concerted effort to establish and enforce a cohesive medicine pricing policy in Thailand. This study aims to explore the government interve...

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Main Authors: Chaoncin Sooksriwong, Sanita Hirunrassamee, Siriwat Suwattanapreeda, Kusawadee Maluangnon, Thirapich Chuachantra, Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar, Krissana Kuchaisit, Niti Osirisakul
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Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2465801
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author Chaoncin Sooksriwong
Sanita Hirunrassamee
Siriwat Suwattanapreeda
Kusawadee Maluangnon
Thirapich Chuachantra
Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
Krissana Kuchaisit
Niti Osirisakul
author_facet Chaoncin Sooksriwong
Sanita Hirunrassamee
Siriwat Suwattanapreeda
Kusawadee Maluangnon
Thirapich Chuachantra
Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
Krissana Kuchaisit
Niti Osirisakul
author_sort Chaoncin Sooksriwong
collection DOAJ
description Background: Following a 2007 report by the Thai Food and Drug Administration highlighting disparities in drug pricing across different sectors, there has been a concerted effort to establish and enforce a cohesive medicine pricing policy in Thailand. This study aims to explore the government interventions on medicine pricing in Thailand.Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research included a literature review and a cross-sectional survey of medicine prices using the World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology. Data were collected from both public and private sectors across six provinces in Thailand during April–May 2023. Additionally, international price comparisons were conducted with countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, and New Zealand.Results: The research identified a significant reduction in the median price ratios (MPRs) of medicines, closer alignment of prices with international benchmarks, and decreased variability in pricing between regions and sectors. These changes illustrated the positive effects of Thailand’s pricing policies implemented over the past 16 years.Conclusions: The strategic interventions implemented by the Thai government have markedly enhanced the regulation and affordability of medicine prices. However, to sustain these achievements and ensure the viability of the local pharmaceutical industry, ongoing efforts and policy adaptations are essential. This study emphasises the critical need for continuous evaluation of these policies to respond effectively to evolving healthcare and economic conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-c3a1c3f3522a4f69a5b642bca8864e382025-08-20T02:38:05ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice2052-32112025-12-0118110.1080/20523211.2025.2465801Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year spanChaoncin Sooksriwong0Sanita Hirunrassamee1Siriwat Suwattanapreeda2Kusawadee Maluangnon3Thirapich Chuachantra4Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar5Krissana Kuchaisit6Niti Osirisakul7Drug Information and Consumer Protection Center, Center of Excellence in Pharmacy Practice and Management Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, ThailandDrug Information and Consumer Protection Center, Center of Excellence in Pharmacy Practice and Management Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, ThailandSomdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, Klongsarn, Bangkok, ThailandDrug Information and Consumer Protection Center, Center of Excellence in Pharmacy Practice and Management Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, ThailandMedicines Regulation Division, Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health, Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi, ThailandDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, QatarMedicines Regulation Division, Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health, Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi, ThailandPharmacy Division, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, ThailandBackground: Following a 2007 report by the Thai Food and Drug Administration highlighting disparities in drug pricing across different sectors, there has been a concerted effort to establish and enforce a cohesive medicine pricing policy in Thailand. This study aims to explore the government interventions on medicine pricing in Thailand.Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research included a literature review and a cross-sectional survey of medicine prices using the World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology. Data were collected from both public and private sectors across six provinces in Thailand during April–May 2023. Additionally, international price comparisons were conducted with countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, and New Zealand.Results: The research identified a significant reduction in the median price ratios (MPRs) of medicines, closer alignment of prices with international benchmarks, and decreased variability in pricing between regions and sectors. These changes illustrated the positive effects of Thailand’s pricing policies implemented over the past 16 years.Conclusions: The strategic interventions implemented by the Thai government have markedly enhanced the regulation and affordability of medicine prices. However, to sustain these achievements and ensure the viability of the local pharmaceutical industry, ongoing efforts and policy adaptations are essential. This study emphasises the critical need for continuous evaluation of these policies to respond effectively to evolving healthcare and economic conditions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2465801Medicine pricing policymedicine pricesThailand medicine price controlimpact of regulatory measuresinternational price comparisonsmedicine price survey
spellingShingle Chaoncin Sooksriwong
Sanita Hirunrassamee
Siriwat Suwattanapreeda
Kusawadee Maluangnon
Thirapich Chuachantra
Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
Krissana Kuchaisit
Niti Osirisakul
Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year span
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
Medicine pricing policy
medicine prices
Thailand medicine price control
impact of regulatory measures
international price comparisons
medicine price survey
title Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year span
title_full Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year span
title_fullStr Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year span
title_full_unstemmed Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year span
title_short Monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in Thailand: an observation over a 16-year span
title_sort monitoring the impact of regulatory measures on medicine pricing in thailand an observation over a 16 year span
topic Medicine pricing policy
medicine prices
Thailand medicine price control
impact of regulatory measures
international price comparisons
medicine price survey
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2465801
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