BANGKOK, 6 May 2015 – Groups of traditional medicine advocates have proposed to the National Reform Council their ideas on the reform of the practice of alternative medicine in Thailand.
Chairman of the NRC’s sub-committee on traditional Thai medicine reform Admiral Chanchai Charoensuwan on Wednesday met with representatives from the Herbal Products Association and the Herbal Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries who submitted a proposal on the reform process.
Chairman of the Herbal Products Association Metha Simavara told Admiral Chanchai that the proposal includes calls for the enactment of the Herbal Medicines Act in order to allow for the independence of the traditional medicine practice as well as its development.
He added that the groups would also like the government to consider authorizing the Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to be in charge of the registration of ancient drugs, which is currently the responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration.
In his response, Admiral Chanchai said that he will look at both and other suggestions included in the proposal and consider them when the committee plans the reform process.
