Thailand details 100bn-baht drug research goal and local production talks with global drugmakers on Sept 12
Roche talks involve potential research investment of 15 billion baht in Thailand, with cheaper medicines and local production among the aims
- The Thai government aims to secure 100 billion baht in drug research investment by negotiating with global pharmaceutical companies, including Roche, MSD, and Sandoz.
- This initiative seeks to shift Thailand's role from a medicine buyer to a partner in joint drug research, development, and local production.
- A primary goal is to lower the cost of new medicines for the country's health coverage system, improving public access to advanced treatments.
- Initial discussions with the company Roche alone have covered a potential investment of 15 billion baht towards the total goal.
Thailand could attract drug research investment reaching 100 billion baht as the government negotiates with global pharmaceutical companies to expand the country’s role in developing and producing medicines, government spokesman Dr Ekkapob Pianpises said on Saturday (September 12, 2026).
Ekkapob said Thailand’s public health minister had successfully negotiated with two major drugmakers, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and Roche. Further talks were planned with Sandoz and dozens of other pharmaceutical companies, he remarked.
Roche discussions cover 15 billion baht in research
Ekkapob said preliminary discussions between Thailand’s public health minister and Roche had covered potential investment of 15 billion baht in drug research in Thailand.
Ekkapob said total research funding could reach 100 billion baht when investment from other companies still in negotiations was included.
Thailand plans joint drug research and local production
The government’s plan to turn Thailand from a medicine buyer into a partner in research, development and production is intended to bring pharmaceutical research spending into the country, Ekkapob said.
Ekkapob said the health initiative formed part of a wider economic policy to move Thailand beyond contract manufacturing and into joint development and production of technologically advanced, higher-value goods.
The Public Health Ministry’s negotiations also covered investment in establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in Thailand.
Government aims to lower the cost of new medicines
Ekkapob said a greater Thai role in drug development could help the country’s health coverage schemes obtain new medicines at lower prices, particularly treatments for difficult-to-treat diseases.
“As Thailand becomes a partner in drug development, discussions have also covered securing medicines at lower prices for the country’s health coverage system, particularly new treatments for difficult-to-treat diseases,” Ekkapob said.
Ekkapob said the initiative could improve access to new medicines across Thailand’s health coverage schemes while creating future employment opportunities in healthcare, research, pharmaceutical manufacturing and related fields.
Ekkapob described the initiative as “one of the government’s tangible achievements in creating future opportunities and economic prospects while improving Thai people’s quality of life”.
