Kamheang Chaturachinda
Speeches:
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Progress in medical abortion in Thailand
Kamheang Chaturachinda, WHRRF, Thailand
Prior to 2002 Misoprostol was freely available over- the- counter in Thailand at a cost of US 40 cents each. In 2002 the Ministry of Health had the first ever female Minister. She was from an ultra- conservative religious right political party (Palang Dhama Party). This party viewed abortion as immoral and sinful. Misoprostol was therefore put on the restricted drug list that needed to be prescribed only in hospital by a physician. The cost of the tablet in the market rocketed from 13 Bahts (40 US cents) up to 2,500 Bahts (70 USD ) and even to 5,000 Bahts (160 USD ) per tablet. A combination of Mifepristone 200 mg and Misoprostol 800 microgram package (commercial name MEDABON) was introduced in to Thailand in 2009 by the Concept Foundation. This was first introduced in to 3 leading medical schools in Bangkok(and later in to Provincial medical schools) as a research project. The second phase research of the efficacy and effectiveness of MEDABON was launched by WHO and our Foundation (WHRRF) at Ramathibodi hospital in Bangkok in 2010. After the publication of this study, we vigorously pushed for the registration of the drugs in Thailand as well as listing in the essential drug list (EDL). Listing in EDL allows the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to obtain the drugs for use in the Women’s Reproductive Health Entitlement Package at a reduced price. Registration was successful in 2014 . And listing in EDL in 2016. Medabon is now bought by the NHSO at a reduced price for distribution and use in the Women’s Reproductive Health Entitlement Package free of charge (market price 500 B./package: NHSO price 230 B./package). Even though Medabon is registered for use to terminate pregnancy, Safe Abortion is still not universal available to women in Thailand. The main reason for inaccessibility of women in Thailand to medical termination of pregnancy is the negative attitude of the healthcare providers. WHRRF together with the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are trying to overcome this obstacle by education and training.Progress in medical abortion in Thailand
Kamheang Chaturachinda, WHRRF, Thailand
Prior to 2002 Misoprostol was freely available over- the- counter in Thailand at a cost of US 40 cents each. In 2002 the Ministry of Health had the first ever female Minister. She was from an ultra- conservative religious right political party (Palang Dhama Party). This party viewed abortion as immoral and sinful. Misoprostol was therefore put on the restricted drug list that needed to be prescribed only in hospital by a physician. The cost of the tablet in the market rocketed from 13 Bahts (40 US cents) up to 2,500 Bahts (70 USD ) and even to 5,000 Bahts (160 USD ) per tablet. A combination of Mifepristone 200 mg and Misoprostol 800 microgram package (commercial name MEDABON) was introduced in to Thailand in 2009 by the Concept Foundation. This was first introduced in to 3 leading medical schools in Bangkok(and later in to Provincial medical schools) as a research project. The second phase research of the efficacy and effectiveness of MEDABON was launched by WHO and our Foundation (WHRRF) at Ramathibodi hospital in Bangkok in 2010. After the publication of this study, we vigorously pushed for the registration of the drugs in Thailand as well as listing in the essential drug list (EDL). Listing in EDL allows the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to obtain the drugs for use in the Women’s Reproductive Health Entitlement Package at a reduced price. Registration was successful in 2014 . And listing in EDL in 2016. Medabon is now bought by the NHSO at a reduced price for distribution and use in the Women’s Reproductive Health Entitlement Package free of charge (market price 500 B./package: NHSO price 230 B./package). Even though Medabon is registered for use to terminate pregnancy, Safe Abortion is still not universal available to women in Thailand. The main reason for inaccessibility of women in Thailand to medical termination of pregnancy is the negative attitude of the healthcare providers. WHRRF together with the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are trying to overcome this obstacle by education and training.