AEGiS-Bangkok Post: Student hazing with a message

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Student hazing with a message

Bangkok Post - May 23, 2007
Penchan Charoensuthipan

Nakhon Pathom - This year's welcoming activities for new pharmacy students were not all about recreation and freak-out festivities. The controversy over compulsory licensing and the problem of drug access were the theme, as about 1,000 pharmacy students, both freshmen and seniors, from 14 universities, took part in the events at the Salaya campus of Mahidol University.

It began with a lecture by Nimit Thian-udom, director of Access to Aids Foundation, and catchphrases focusing on the importance of people's access to medication were prominently displayed.

Thanabodi Jongkitthanakul, secretary-general of the Federation of Pharmacy Students, said new students needed to be aware of their future responsibilities.

"We hope that freshmen power will support the country's efforts to cut the price of medicine by overriding drug patents," said Mr Thanabodi.

The academic-oriented freshy fair went over the heads of many newcomers, who admitted they still had no idea what compulsory licensing was about.

But Nonthaya Nakkham, a fourth-year student from Khon Kaen, was in no doubt.

"I need to do my best by giving customers accurate information on how to use their drugs, and that good drugs don't have to be expensive," she said.

"I also hope that one or more people among us will discover new drugs that will benefit the people."

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