title: Drug policy and administration affecting quality of life of the poor in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to analyze drug policy and administration affecting quality of life of the poor in Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of official reports and related documents, for the past 10 years (from 2000-2010).
  
  
  RESULTS
  By imposing compulsory licensing, the Thai government maintains negotiating power over the price of pharmaceutical products with the patent holders of the original drugs. This gives an opportunity for relevant government agencies to produce or import patented drugs. At present, there are many problems and obstacles. The findings show that developing countries need to strengthen their negotiating power so that the pharmaceutical manufacturers cannot take advantage through mechanisms provided for such as compulsory licensing and provisions for flexibility in Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. Furthermore, these countries must support and empower the local pharmaceutical manufacturers to produce generic drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Developing countries should ensure that their populations have confidence in universal coverage service and medical systems regarding the quality of generic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Health Administration Department, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chardsumon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prutipinyo
authors.forename: Nithat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sirichotiratana
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D004345:Drug Industry; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D008004:Licensure; D010330:Patents as Topic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations