5 old remedies off illegal medication list
published : 17 Feb 2021 at 09:55
newspaper section: News
writer: Apinya Wipatayotin
The Public Health Minister has removed five traditional Thai remedies using cannabis from a list of illegal medications.
Supattra Boonserm, deputy secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said on Tuesday that Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has issued a new regulation allowing the remedies containing cannabis leaves and branches to be used for treatments and research.
The five remedies are used to treat insomnia, exhaustion, muscular tension, haemorrhoids, skin diseases and mental illness.
People could seek permission to produce the cannabis-based remedies from the FDA as of Feb 16. More information on the new rules can be obtained from its one stop service center or by phoning 0-2821-5509. The cannabis must be grown by an approved source.
The insomnia remedy, which also enhances appetite, will likely be recommended to traditional health clinics nationwide.
Ms Supattra said anyone can use cannabis and hemp leaves for their health effects without FDA permission, but they must come from legal sources, while processed cannabis and hemp produced as health products for sale must be registered.
