The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the country's first domestically produced botulinum antitoxin, cutting the cost of the life-saving medicine by 90%.
According to deputy government spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan, the approval of locally produced "TRCS Botulinum Antitoxin" helps strengthen pharmaceutical security by ensuring access to an essential treatment without relying solely on imports.
The locally produced antitoxin would also cut the cost per dose to about 25,000 baht from around 250,000 baht for imported supplies, she said.
The medicine was developed through collaboration between the Thai Red Cross Society, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Institute of Biological Products, the National Vaccine Institute, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) and the National Health Security Office (NHSO).
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by botulinum toxin. It is most commonly associated with improperly processed canned foods and preserved meat products. In Thailand, it has also been linked to contaminated fermented bamboo shoots.
It can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death if left untreated, making rapid access to antitoxin critical, Ms Ploythalay said.
She said that TRCS Botulinum Antitoxin was developed as a public health resource rather than a commercial product to ensure access to an essential treatment without relying solely on imports.
