NEWSMakers
Sumlee Jaidee has dedicated her life to bettering society
ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
Assoc Prof Sumlee Jaidee. |
Dr Vichai Chokewiwat, former chairman of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), has attributed the unprecedented success of compulsory licensing of anti-Aids drugs over the past few years to a lady behind the scenes - the retired Assoc Prof Sumlee Jaidee.
The 66-year-old, a native of Suphan Buri province, could be dubbed a creator, instigator, backer, strategist and sometimes the frontrunner of a number of movements for the benefit of the poor, consumers, heath service providers, especially in rural areas, and more importantly, a supporter of those who fight against corruption and malpractice in the health service and pharmaceutical industry.
In conferring an honorary degree of pharmacology on Sumlee last week, Chulalongkorn University's Council reasoned that "Sumlee is a truly dedicated teacher, educator, pioneer and professional pharmacist who has lead her life with virtue and unwavering ethics throughout 30 years of civil service, even into retirement. Sumlee has helped develop and compile traditional Thai medicinal wisdom to a higher status, and spurred on national and international recognition."
Sumlee graduated from the faculty of pharmacology at Mahidol University in 1967, and earned a master's degree in physiology two years later. Soon after, she joined the faculty at Chulalongkorn University and remained a member until her retirement in 2002.
As well as heading the department of physiology at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of pharmacology (1979 to 1981, and 1993 to 1997), Sumlee set up a new department combining pharmacology and medical services to better serve society, and later founded the Social Pharmacy Research Unit, which has spearheaded numerous struggles against dubious government policies with sound academic research and arguments.
Sumlee also formed an alliance of intellectuals in the pharmaceutical field, the Drug Study Group, in 1975. But a research project on drug use, which started in 1977, was a turning point for Sumlee, as it shook and shaped the scope of pharmacology and produced pharmacists that could work for the people and communicate with nurses, doctors, social activists and non-government organisations, in rural areas, as well as Bangkok-based civil servants.
Medical doctor turned dharma teacher Dr Amara Malila praised Sumlee for her academic curiosity. "Sumlee never gives up until she can root out or solve problems. She has the rare ability to systemise, categorise and synchronise information, and disseminate it further for future use for the sake of the people without fear, in the face of probable backlash from powerful figures whose business interests are deeply affected by her professionalism."
Dr Sem Pringpuangkaew, a pioneer in primary health care - and 30 years her senior - also commended Sumlee for her steadfast support for traditional Thai medicine, especially Thai massage, as a way of preserving local wisdom. "Promoting Thai massage helps reduce stress. It transfers power from one person to another, and is a humane way of healing and helping each other without the use of any drugs."
The senior doctor also applauded Sumlee for her unwavering volunteer efforts, which put her in the forefront of the battle against corruption in Thailand.
Sumlee's battle with local and multinational corporations on public health issues was never fought alone. Sumlee forged an alliance with not only NGOs, but with civil servants and academic personnel from other fields.
Among her outstanding works was the year-long fight to exclude undesirable substances - namely phenacetin and caffeine - from APC painkillers, and a protest against attempts made by politicians to change a drug law clause that requires the presence of a pharmacist at every retail chemists, to amend patent laws, which serve the interests of multinational corporations, and finally to promote the use of generic drugs. In addition, the alliance aims to discourage the use of monosodium glutamate, protest against unethical trials of dipyrone - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug - work against the 1.4 billion baht drug sales collusion order in the Health Ministry, and protest against the Free Trade Area agreements.
Sumlee is an "iron lady" who most definitely is not a popular figure among businesses here or anywhere else for that matter. Her principles and determination to make a difference are lauded both domestically and in other developing countries. Sumlee has taught for 33 years at university level, and is recognised by the academic world, particularly for her beliefs concerning intellectual freedom for the sake of national and not just personal interest.
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