UHC scheme of Thailand has paid attention to the orphan drugs since this scheme was initiated in 2002. More than 10 years of implementation, concrete solutions have been used to save many patients’ lives. Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute and Ramathibodi Poison Center are the examples of very good cooperation to solve this problem.

Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute has produced 4 orphan antidotes and all anti-venoms used in Thailand as well as exported these products to save lives of patients who are bit by venomous snakes in other countries under coordination with WHO.

Ramathibodi Poison Center provides accurately up-to-date information and counsel from professionals or hospitals for diagnosis 24 hours by hotline-1367. Ramathibodi Poison Center is a center of antidote database for the treatment of poisonings and can provide fast treatment for people who are poisoned. It also has a laboratory to check the poison level. 

In January 2018, Ramathibodi Poison Center was able to save 2 Nigerians from Botulism by providing Botulinum Antitoxin from Thailand to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a short period of time after receiving a request from Nigeria WHO Country Office, with coordination among Ramathibodi Poison Center, the National Health Security Office (NHSO, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), and WHO Thailand Office. Since October 2018, Ramathibodi Poison Center has been a WHO Collaborative Center for the Prevention and Control of Poisoning.

This site visit will show how strong collaborative network among governmental organizations to secure orphan antidote access under Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a simulation case of poisoning management, and anti-venom/antidote production. You will also be excited by venomous snake handling and diverse poisonous animals in Thailand.