Somsak Supports Initiative to Prescribe Herbal Remedies

The Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, supported the government’s effort to advocate for traditional herbs as an alternative to conventional Western medications for everyday ailments. He stated that this program aimed to offer patients additional therapeutic choices.

Mr. Somsak suggested that physicians, especially those practicing at public healthcare facilities, ought to think about recommending traditional plant-based remedies to their patients.

Doing so will not only reduce the nation"s reliance on imported drugs and bring down treatment costs but also boost public confidence on the efficacy of such remedies.

He emphasized that the initiative aimed to support the promotion of traditional Thai medicine, clarifying that it was not meant as a requirement for medical practitioners. "This is not a mandatory policy; it’s merely a recommendation for doctors," Mr. Somsak stated.

Even though physicians can freely select the types of medication they prescribe for their patients, Mr. Somsak mentioned that clinics and medical facilities promoting traditional treatments might gain advantages from the NHSO’s incentives. The NHSO distributes approximately one billion baht annually to encourage the use of Thai herbal medicine.

Even with the ministry’s reassurances, numerous physicians have expressed worries regarding the potential effects of the policy on public health.

A physician, requesting anonymity, mentioned that this step places medical professionals in a challenging situation since many of these treatments lack scientific evidence proving their efficacy.

Someone noted that specific herbal treatments are surprisingly pricier than conventional medications because of their scarce availability in the market. Meanwhile, others fear this suggestion might cause delays in patients receiving proper care.

Addressing worries over insufficient stock and elevated costs, Somruek Chungsaman, the head of Thailand’s Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department, stated that the nation is capable of fulfilling the growing requirement for herbal treatments. He highlighted that currently, 44 firms—both privately owned businesses and government entities—are engaged in large-scale production of these remedies.

He advocated for the effectiveness of traditional herbs, pointing out that they are part of the national essential medicines list because they have demonstrated their utility in treating five prevalent ailments: influenza, muscular discomfort, constipation, bloating, and hemorrhoids.

To alleviate worries of physicians inexperienced with prescribing herbal medications, he mentioned that the hospital’s informational systems showcase prescription specifics such as dosages along with therapeutic protocols for these natural remedies.

"He noted that over time, healthcare providers will become more at ease with recommending conventional treatments." He attributed the hesitation towards the new system primarily to poor communication within the organization rather than shortcomings in the policies themselves. To better understand physicians' perspectives across the country, the ministry plans to conduct a survey. This information will then be utilized to enhance the strategy for promoting Thai herbal medicines moving forward, as stated by Dr. Somruek.

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