The Public Health Systems Research Institute (PHRI) and Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Co. have signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the public and private sectors to raise the standard of clinical research and support the expansion of clinical research opportunities in Thailand.
Thailand is classified as an opportunity tier due to the large number of patients who are ready to be treated. Therefore, there is a great opportunity for sponsors to find volunteers to participate in research and development projects for new drugs or products. It can replace traditional countries such as Europe or the United States, which have high research costs.
Dr Supakit Sirilak, Director of the Public Health Systems Research Institute said, "We see hope in driving this because Thailand has the cost and readiness in terms of national administrative structure and public health resource management. From high-potential medical schools to primary care facilities that are widely distributed across all regions. There are leading educational institutions to produce doctors and health workers in various fields, as well as medical facilities and a universal health insurance system that covers the whole country. These factors have resulted in widespread access to essential health services for the public."
He further said, "There is still a need to develop other support systems, including developing the capacity of clinical research centres that meet international standards to be distributed to medical facilities of the Ministry of Public Health, and operating together as a network."
According to Enrico Canal Bruland General Manager, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Co., "Between 2019 and 2023, the company invested 370 million baht in research and development. This investment and today's collaboration reflect the commitment and readiness to work together in the future, as well as the opportunity to build joint capacity between the public and private sectors."
