A pharmacist who advocates wider use of traditional medicine to make Thais more self-reliant for their health needs has won an outstanding pharmacist's award.Supaporn Pitiporn, of Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri, has been named Outstanding Pharmacist for Society by the Pharmacy for Society Foundation. The award is equivalent to the Rural Doctor Award of Thailand.
Dr Supaporn is a pioneer in the use of traditional herbal medicine, the foundation said. She has spent more than 20 years documenting the medicinal values of herbs and plants. Her approach to medicine combines features of traditional and modern medicine, Assoc Prof Pornpen Premyothin, foundation chairwoman of the selection committee, said. Dr Supaporn, who received her PhD from Mahidol University, learned from local medicine men and women who use herbal medicine.
She tests the toxicities of natural plants, herbs and flowers until her herbal products win approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
"Supaporn has a keen sense of responsibility to the public. She has applied her knowledge in pharmacy to revitalise and develop herbal medicines for public consumption," Assoc Prof Pornpen said.
"Her holistic approach towards healing is not limited to the hospital setting but is disseminated to communities nationwide, which has helped spread awareness of herbal medicines in recent years."
Dr Supaporn develops herbal and natural plants into medicine, food, cosmetics and drinks, and markets them at affordable prices.
"During the recent floods, a man stung by a centipede called our hospital," said Dr Supaporn, talking about her mission as a pharmacist working with traditional medicine. "However, he could not reach us because his house was submerged.
"In the past, Thais could cure such wounds using lemon or tamarind mixed with bitternut lime. "However, our local knowledge is being destroyed. That is why we no longer know how to attend to our medical needs with plants or herbs. "Unless our traditional knowledge can be revitalised, we may not survive," Dr Supaporn said.
In 2005, the most recent figures available, Thailand imported drugs worth more than 38 billion baht, which accounted for about 56% of medicine consumption in Thailand. Herbal medicines represent only 1% of that, worth about 2 billion baht. Dr Supaporn hopes Thais can rely on traditional knowledge for meeting more of their medicinal needs.
Former health minister Mongkol Na Songkhla praised Dr Supaporn for her pioneering role in the study of natural plants and herbs. He said pharmacists are a crucial component in the health care system but not many understand the social aspects of the profession, that people should be able to gain access to health care services equally. Dr Supaporn is one of the few who do, he said.