Business Development Asia LLC
South East Asian Health News
ISSUE 5, FEBRUARY 1998
THAILAND
Apex Health Insurance and International Private Health Care, a Lloyd's of London subsidiary, have agreed to set up a health insurance JV in Thailand. Reports indicate that health insurance spending in Thailand equals only 2% of GDP This is a percentage that seems to be increasing as the costs of healthcare are on the rise. (December 24th 1997)
Four major public hospitals, Chiang Mai Nakhonping, Lampang, Phuthachinaraj and Sapasithiprasong face serious financial problems because their debts far surpass their savings. About 90 other public hospitals face similar problems though not as grave. The Ministry stated that this situation was caused by excessive purchases of foreign drugs and equipment. In response, the Ministry of Public Health plans to make all hospitals purchase drugs in bulk at the provincial level, a move that could save 23%. (February 1st 1998)
Medicap, a Thai soft gel cap manufacturer, announced that it has attracted over US$30m into Thailand by exporting its products. Medicap's product is used by over 50 Thai and international clients, including Roche Thailand, Skyline Healthcare, Berlin Pharmaceutical Industry, Betterway Mistine and SmithKline. Medicap distributes over 500 million capsules to overseas markets, resulting in foreign revenues of US$4m, and has an annual growth rate of 30%. (January 15th 1998)
The Ministry of Public Health is urging all state and private hospitals to use medicine manufactured by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) in an attempt to reduce the country's account deficit. According to the Ministry, the GPO drugs are of the same quality as imported drugs but much less expensive. In 1996, Thais consumed Bht42bn (US$950m) in medicine, with Bht19bn (US$430m) being spent on imported drugs. (January 18th 1998)
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