Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation Commons^™

Strategies For Improving The Drug Importation Control System In Thailand: A Qualitative Investigation, Neeranart Potiyanon, Suntaree Watcharadamrongkun

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Drug importation plays a critical role in Thailand’s healthcare system; however, barriers affecting its regulatory control and their public health implications remain inadequately examined. This study compared international drug importation procedures and evaluated Thailand’s control system with strategies for improvement.
Methods: Conducted in Bangkok between 2020 and 2023, this two-phase study employed a qualitative design. Phase 1 involved content analysis comparing drug importation procedures across Thailand, Singapore, Australia and the United States to identify best practices and potential solutions. Phase 2 utilized semistructured, in-depth interviews with 19 key informants from government and private-sector agencies. Data collection was guided by …

Drug Procurement Methods And Challenges In Asian Low And Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review, Ferina Septiani Damanik, Anna Wahyuni Widayanti, Muhammad Qowiyul Amin

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Pharmaceutical procurement plays a pivotal role in healthcare within Asian low and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), ensuring accessibility to essential, cost-effective, and high-quality medicines. Tailored approaches are imperative due to specific challenges inherent in these countries.
Objectives: This review examines several drug procurement systems in Asian countries with LLMICs while identifying and evaluating any potential challenges that might arise within the systems.
Materials and Methods: This review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines and three search engines (PubMed, Science Direct, and Research Gate) employing Boolean search terms. The search focuses on drug procurement, medicine procurement, …

Perceptions And Expectations Of Healthcare Professionals About The Roles Of Pharmacists At A Tertiary Care Hospital, Pimpiorn Punturat, Kornkaew Chanthapasa

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Pharmacy education in Thailand has shifted toward a patient-centered approach through the implementation of the 6-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D.) program. Despite this transition, pharmaceutical care services remain limited due to challenges such as inadequate clinical skills, communication barriers, and differing perceptions among healthcare professionals. The perceptions and expectations of healthcare professionals about pharmaceutical care have not been fully examined in a tertiary hospital in Thailand. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine and compare the perceptions and expectations of pharmacists’ role in pharmaceutical care among physicians, nurses, and pharmacists at a tertiary care …

Pharmacovigilance Practices For New Drugs In Thailand: A Situation Analysis In Tertiary And University Hospitals, Nisittra Polkot, Osot Nerapusee, Pantira Parinyarux, Puree Anantachoti

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: In 2017, Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration introduced a risk-based safety monitoring program (SMP) aimed at strengthening pharmacovigilance (PV) for new drugs, including new chemical entities and biologics. Despite this policy shift, drug safety monitoring continues to rely primarily on spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting. This study aimed to explore the implementation of PV practices for drugs with SMP status in selected tertiary and university hospitals in Thailand.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews. Pharmacists and physicians involved in drug safety monitoring were invited. Eight hospitals (five university and three tertiary …

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Versus Self-Monitoring For Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Prayuth Poowaruttanawiwit, Kwanchai Rattanamanee, Nonnachanok Chaiyot, Saranpreeya Srisinroongruang

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) require intensive glucose monitoring to achieve optimal glycemic control and prevent complications. While self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has long been the standard approach, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers real-time data and trend analysis that may enhance clinical decision-making.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether CGM provides superior glycemic outcomes compared with SMBG in individuals with T1DM.

Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Four randomized controlled trials involving T1DM patients using either CGM or SMBG were included. …

Exploring The Link Between Physicians’ Familiarity And Biosimilar Prescribing In Thailand, Ekapong Kachai, Chaoncin Sooksriwong, Wanruchada Katchamart, Tuangrat Phodha

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Despite the availability of various biosimilars in Thailand, the link between physicians’ familiarity and biosimilars prescribing practice remains still unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to find the association between physicians’ familiarity and biosimilars prescribing practice among physicians in Thailand.

Methods: This research adopted an extended analysis framework, utilizing survey data from a pilot study on the surveillance of Thai physicians regarding biosimilar uptake. The familiarity with biosimilars among respondents was evaluated.

Results: The result showed that 82 respondents were included in the study. There was 79.3% of respondents indicated prescribing biosimilars. Overall, most respondents (75.6%) showed an “adequate” level …

The Use Of Health And Herbal Products For Covid-19 Self-Prevention And Its Affecting Factors According To Theory Of Planned Behavior, Suppachai Insuk, Supanida Kittirattanasak, Mullika Sirithongkaset, Daranee Chiewchantanakit

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction: Despite the World Health Organization’s recent declaration of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons learned from the outbreak remain crucial for future public health responses. In Thailand, the pandemic’s impact led individuals to explore self-protection methods, including potentially ineffective health products. This study examined the prevalence of health and herbal products used for COVID-19 self-prevention, to identify the types of these products in use and to identify factors influencing their utilization.

Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 400 Thai participants aged 25–60 who had never contracted COVID-19. The study employed convenience sampling and self-administered online questionnaires based on …

Study Of Laws And Regulations Related To The Management Of Florfenicol Detection Cases In Swine, Shinnawat Saengungsumalee

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Florfenicol, an antibiotic permitted in veterinary medicine, currently lacks an established maximum residue limit (MRL) in meat products in Thailand, effectively mandating undetectable residue levels. In May 2024, Thailand Pesticide Alert Network reported florfenicol residues in swine, raising concerns about consumer safety, rational veterinary drug use, and the potential for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Addressing these issues involves multiple laws, decrees, and regulations across various agencies. Objectives: To analyze laws and regulations managing florfenicol residue detection in swine. Materials and Methods: This documentary research examines relevant laws, regulations, and measures for florfenicol in livestock and compares Thailand’s regulations with those …

Beyond Mitragynine: Composition Survey And Stability Assessment Of Kratom Tea Ordered Via Food Delivery Platforms In Bangkok, Thailand, Yuta Tokuda, Apinya Tubtimrattana, Nat Tansrisawad, Kornvalee Meesilpavikkai, Parath Thirati

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Kratom is a native tree to Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves have long been used medicinally and recreationally due to their stimulative and opioid-like effects attributed to high endogenous levels of mitragynine and related alkaloids. Kratom is widely consumed as tea and is now publicly sold, including on food delivery platforms, after recent decriminalization despite selling of kratom products being still considered illegal by other acts.

Objectives: To assess the formulas of kratom teas sold on Thai food delivery platform together with their consistency and the stability of refrigerated teas.

Methods: Kratom alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, and additive contents of …