The Ministry of Public Health has initiated a campaign to elevate the role of traditional medicine by adding 18 herbs to the National List of Essential Medicines. The initiative, which selects herbs based on their use and economic value between 2019 and 2023, is expected to reduce the country’s dependency on imported medicines and bolster the use of native herbal treatments.
To enhance traditional medical practices, the ministry has instructed the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) to increase the utilization of these herbs. A plan is being finalized to raise the annual expenditure on Thai herbal medicine in state hospitals from about 1 billion baht to 1.5 billion baht. The approach is designed to support local farmers and improve the quality and availability of drugs for the public.
Among the herbs listed is Fah Talai Jone (Andrographis paniculata), renowned for treating fever, coughs, and sore throats and notably used during the COVID-19 pandemic for its antiviral properties. Other significant herbs include turmeric, Makham Khaek (Alexandrian senna), and Jewel Vine (Derris scandens), frequently dispensed within the healthcare system.
The ministry oversees 46 herbal drug manufacturing facilities compliant with the World Health Organization’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Approximately 1,000 private companies in Thailand produce herbal concoctions, highlighting a robust industry dedicated to integrating traditional therapies with contemporary healthcare practices.
