Business Development Asia LLC

South East Asian Health News

ISSUE 6, APRIL 1998

THAILAND

Loxley Herbs, a 50-50 JV between Thailand’s Innovation Product Co. and Loxley Plc is currently negotiating with Chinese herb suppliers who are seeking to buy shares in the JV. This move is part of the JV’s attempt to procure quality herbs in large quantities in order to expand its production. Loxley Herbs is also seeking approval from the US FDA for four products it plans to export to US health product dealers. (March 5^th 1998)

Panyavej Hospital, located in the Northeastern province of Udorn Hani, is seeking JV partners. The hospital is Board of Investment promoted and has been in operations since May 1997. The hospital serves patients from Udorn Thani, surrounding provinces and foreigners residing in Laos. Panyavej has 365 beds and is staffed by physicians trained in the US and Western Europe. (April 2^nd 1998)

Schering Bangkok will freeze prices on all its products despite rising costs due to the weakened baht. Schering predicts that sales this year will total about Bht700m (US$18m), flat compared to last year’s sales. The company will cut costs by increasing the range and quantity of domestically manufactured drugs and repackaging bulk imports in Thailand. (March 11^th 1998)

The Thai FDA will be holding hearings on a proposed amendment to the Basic Household Drug List after facing opposition from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The proposal was designed to make drugs for common illnesses more accessible by allowing them to be sold through different outlets, such as grocery stores and gas stations, besides just drug stores. The NGOs have raised concerns of the possible misuse of certain drugs especially in light of insufficient consumer knowledge. (March 8^th 1998)