According to the recent Medical Facility Act in Thailand, telemedicine is now allowed and becoming more pervasive. Hospitals and clinics can diagnose, prescribe, and send out electronic prescriptions after a video call with a doctor is completed. Also, telepharmacy now permits a pharmacist to confirm prescriptions, discuss patients’ health concerns virtually, and distribute drugs if they have a license as a drug retailer from a faraway site. In short, telehealth now allows Thai patients to get doctor appointments more quickly, get access to remote specialists without travel, and ultimately improve their health.
On the other hand, Thailand still has very strict regulations when it comes to drug advertising per the Thai Drug Act of 1967. Only over-the-counter drugs can be advertised on online platforms. It is illegal to describe or promote a RX drug online since this is qualified as advertising. In Thailand, drug ads are not allowed unless the ad is only addressed to specific healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the TFDA needs to approve all advertising, and penalties can be significant.
Written by: Ames Gross – President and Founder, Pacific Bridge Medical (PBM)
Mr. Gross founded PBM in 1988 and has helped hundreds of medical companies with regulatory and business development issues in Asia. He is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the Asian medical markets. Mr. Gross has a BA degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University.