Thailand occupies the central part of the Southeast Asian mainland, spanning an area of 513,115 square kilometres. Bangkok is the capital, main port, as well as the industrial and commercial centre of Thailand. Real GDP growth slowed slightly to 5.2% in 2004.
Thailand's "30-Baht" scheme, first launched in April 2001, prompts patients to purchase drugs themselves in the drugstores. The drugstore sector will continue to benefit from the relatively limited choice of products available in public hospitals. A price war is on in the pharma market, especially in the tender business. Generic sales volumes have continued to rise over branded drugs in the tender business, forcing the discontinuation of certain product lines.
Statistics from the National Health Security Office (NHSO) reveal that for fiscal year 2004, the total number of people with health security reached 59.77 million, or 95.48% of the Thai population. This represents an increase of some 2.85% over the previous year’s figure.
Demographic and epidemiological factors are key drivers of demand for pharmaceuticals. Other driving factors include a rising proportion of the aged population, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer and HIV/AIDS.
