Ministry of Health: Khairy on an information visit to Thailand to assess the potential medical use of cannabis

Khairy Jamaluddin is due to visit the Government Pharmaceutical Office (GPO) today where he will be briefed on medical cannabis policy in Thailand, including practices, cultivation methods and the research and use of cannabis and ketum in medical purposes in Thailand. — photo by Bernama

Monday, August 22, 2022 5:47 PM MYT

BANGKOK, August 22 – Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is on a four-day working visit to Thailand today to assess the potential medical use of cannabis and ketum and the legal framework for its medical use .

He will also participate in the Apec high-level meeting on health and the economy during his stay in the capital.

The Health Ministry said the working visit, which began today, was at the invitation of Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Khairy arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 4:08 p.m. (local time) and was greeted by Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel, Thai Minister of Public Health Representative Watcharapong Kuwijitwan and Director of the Institute Thai health system researcher Nopporn Cheanklin.

Tomorrow, Khairy is due to visit the Government Pharmaceutical Office (GPO) where he will be briefed on medical cannabis policy in Thailand, including practices, cultivation methods, research and the use of cannabis and ketum for medical purposes. in Thailand.

Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis and use it for medical purposes.

“The visit represents an ideal platform for the Department of Health to understand advances in international research and findings to support the clinical use of cannabis.

“The visit also opens international collaboration opportunities for private and research entities undertaking clinical studies on cannabis and ketum as they develop medical innovations that will further improve the quality of healthcare in Malaysia,” according to the Department of Health in a statement today.

Khairy is expected to meet key players in Thailand’s cannabis and ketum industry in addition to visiting Siam Cannabis Land where he can see the indoor and outdoor plantations, greenhouse and drying center.

The Malaysian delegation will also visit the Bumrungrad International Hospital, which is one of the largest private hospitals in Southeast Asia, as well as the Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry which provides modern mental health services.

Last month, Khairy said a framework for the registration of certain cannabidiol (CBD) products would be announced.

Meanwhile, Khairy is also due to attend the Apec High Level Meeting on Health and Economy here on Thursday before returning to Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama

Maria J. Book