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Thai Medicine Origin
The Western system of medicine was introduced to Thailand about 100 years ago by European missionaries. All modern drugs and pharmaceutical preparations such as aqua, infusions and tinctures were then imported from Europe.
  According to Thai medical history, Thai medicine originated over 3000 years ago, with written proof that doctor Jibaka Kumaru Bascha performed medicinal treatments 2500 years ago. Jibaka Kumaru Bacha was linked to Lord Buddha, and not only did he lay the foundations of the present Thai massage techniques, but also discovered the effectiveness of using plants, herbs and minerals for medicinal purposes.
There was no law governing the import or sale of drugs until the first Drug Act was promulgated on April 15, 1937.
In 1940, the Thai government established a pharmaceutical laboratory in Bangkok for the production of galenicals, tablets, injections, etc. This marked the beginning of the pharmaceutical industry in Thailand, the first step towards self-sufficiency. However, during World War II, there was a great shortage of imported raw materials owing to the disruption of all imported goods.
  After the Industrial Investment Law of 1954, a number of foreign owned firms and local pharmaceutical concerns were established in Bangkok where all types of drugs were already being prepared in dosage form, mostly from imported raw materials. At present, there are 180 pharmaceutical factories in Thailand, including the Government Pharmaceutical Organization and the Armed Forces Pharmaceutical Factory.
They are all only “assembling factories” which manufacture finished drugs from imported ingredients or chemicals. Therefore, during a time of crisis or war the interruption in supplies of these needed items would certainly cripple the domestic pharmaceutical industry. |
