Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - June 25, 2002
Anjira Assavanonda
The Network for People Living with HIV/Aids earlier filed a complaint to the Communicable Diseases Control Department, accusing Nong Sam Phran Temple and P.K.Anti-Virus Co of exaggerating the quality of a herbal medicine marketed as "Stree Tra Dokkoon", claiming it was effective in treating HIV/Aids, and even selling the drug to patients at 3,000 baht for a month's dose.
Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said she had told Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Communicable Diseases Control Department and Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine to look into the matter. It's not known how long their inquiries will take.
She had been told by Dr Sathaporn Wongcharoen, FDA deputy secretary-general, that the controversial drug was registered with the FDA as a traditional medicine for menstrual problems, but it had no ingredients thought to be effective in treating HIV/Aids.
"If the allegation has grounds, the ministry will take action against all involved parties, including the temple, the distributor and manufacturer of the drug," Mrs Sudarat said.
Since the drug was registered as traditional medicine, any claim or use of it as an Aids cure would be considered unlawful, she said.
A team of health officials from the Communicable Diseases Control Department, Food and Drug Administration, Medical Registration Division, and representatives from Centre for Aids Rights yesterday went to inspect the temple.
Wallop Thai-nua, director-general of the Communicable Diseases Control Department, said the department had provided funding to the temple since 1998 because it helped to look after HIV/Aids patients.
However, the temple had refused to accept the funds this year, probably due to its improved financial condition.
Dr Wallop added the temple had also received funding from other non-governmental organisations, so it was puzzling why the temple had started charging patients 400 baht a week for food and accommodation.
FDA deputy secretary-general Sathaporn Wongcharoen said he had told staff to inspect P.K.Anti-Virus Co.
Meanwhile, Pennapha Subcharoen, director of Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine, said: "Generally, the use of herbal brews will strengthen the health of patients and refine the chemical elements in their bodies, but they don't need to pay as much as 1,500 baht for a dose," she said.
Executives of P.K.Anti-Virus were not available for comment yesterday.
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