Thailand Partners with Sandoz to Produce Biosimilars Locally
Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has signed an MOU with Sandoz to locally produce biosimilar medicines, aiming to cut import dependence and boost the domestic pharmaceutical sector. The partnership, valued at about 3 billion baht, will transfer technology to the Government Pharmaceutical Organization for manufacturing biosimilar cancer and arthritis drugs. Officials say the move strengthens national health security following lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Phatthana Phromphat said the agreement marks an important step toward strengthening Thailand's healthcare system and pharmaceutical security, stressing that everyone should have access to safe, effective, high-quality and affordable medicines. He noted that the pandemic highlighted the importance of pharmaceutical self-sufficiency as part of national health security. Under the deal, Sandoz will transfer technology to the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, which will manufacture the biosimilars at its Thai facilities. The initial products will be biosimilar treatments for cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, with a projected market value of around 3 billion baht. The collaboration is part of Thailand's broader medical economy strategy, which has already seen similar MOUs with one or two other drugmakers and expects two to three more in the near future. Sandoz aims to have biosimilars constitute 100 percent of its portfolio within the next ten years, offering Thailand a chance to boost its pharmaceutical expertise and expand access to essential medicines.
