Chiang Mai University Opposing the Drug Draft Bill

 | Mon 3 Sep 2018 09:10 ICT

CityNews – Faculty of Pharmacy, CMU, is opposing the drug draft bill concerning the safety of consumers’ health.

On August 31st, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University held a discussion regarding the controversial drug draft bill. The discussion was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirat Niwatananun, the faculty dean, who pointed out that the draft bill doesn’t address or improve either the safety or the protection of consumers on matters of health and drugs, and is likely to have a negative impact to the pharmaceutical consumption in the nation.

The panel pointed out the issues of the current drug categorisation which has not complied with the ‘international standard’ and the vague definition of ‘household remedy’ that is leading to the inappropriate dispensing of medicine. There is also concern over the fact that the new bill will allow all healthcare professionals to prescribe medication while cutting back on restrictions on drug advertisement. Currently, the advertisement have to receive permission, whereas the bill proposes that advertisers only have to notify authorities.

The faculty is urging the government to review the bill suggesting that academics take part in drafting the bill.