You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

November 8, 2013

Dr. Atthachai Homhuan Explains the Dark Side of Online Pharmacies in BigChilli Interview

Subscribe to Updates
The BigChilli

Ordering drugs from online pharmacies can be a risky ordeal. Not only can they cause serious harm to your health, but they may expose you to credit card fraud and put you in a difficult position with the Thai authorities. Dr. Atthachai Homhuan, manager of the Regulatory Affairs group at Tilleke & Gibbins, recently expressed his views on this subject in an interview arranged by The BigChilli magazine, in which he explained some of the pitfalls of dealing with online pharmacies.

The prevalence of online pharmacies in Thailand is growing. “Online pharmacy websites are extremely popular in Thailand with the booming of the Internet and the social media,” Atthachai says. “Illegal online websites originating in Thailand are offering drugs banned or restricted by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” he continues. This is problematic, because “The drugs could be counterfeit, expired, or could go bad during transport, which may cause serious harm or even death.” On top of this, Atthachai warns that “customers are at risk of legal action being taken against them by the FDA or Customs if banned or restricted drugs addressed to them are found, for example at a post office.” Also, “Credit card information can be stolen because most of the people running illegal online pharmacies are criminals,” and, moreover, “minors can order controlled substances.” Online pharmacies present a huge problem in Thailand, and they need to be stopped.

Speaking on behalf of Tilleke & Gibbins, Atthachai says, “We coordinate with the patent-holding company and if we can find the source of the counterfeits, we inform them and help provide appropriate measures to prevent and eradicate the problem.” He continues, saying “We will contact the FDA through our Intellectual Property Department and try to work out a solution.” In closing, he says, “If you suspect you have been given a counterfeit product, contact the FDA or our law firm. We will contact the company that makes the legitimate product to investigate the matter. We are working closely with the FDA, and if we can overcome this problem we can improve the quality of life in Thailand.”

The BigChilli is a lifestyle, business, and educational magazine based in Thailand. If you would like to read the full interview, please visit The BigChilli website.

Download Full Article
RELATED PROFESSIONAL

Industries

Life Sciences

Practices

Intellectual Property

Regulatory Affairs

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

August 20, 2021
On August 19, Tilleke & Gibbins and the Thai Listed Companies Association (TLCA) jointly hosted a Thai-language webinar to address the regulatory environment surrounding import procedures and permit applications for health products. In the first part of the session, Kasamesunt Teerasitsathaporn, partner in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group, provided an overview of the Customs Act, explained penalties imposed under the act, identified lists of prohibited and restricted goods, shared examples of products that require a declaration of permit documentation, and highlighted notable Customs Act provisions relating to health products. In the second part of the session, Dr. Atthachai Homhuan, director of the firm’s regulatory affairs practice, related some interesting case studies involving a wide range of health products, including medical equipment, pharmaceutical products, contact lenses, and other goods. Dr. Atthachai ended the presentation with practical advice to companies about managing their importation operations in compliance with the Customs Act. A full video recording of the webinar (in Thai) can be viewed on the Tilleke & Gibbins YouTube Channel.
Read More
July 16, 2021
Eric Meyer, a foreign consultant in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department, was profiled in the latest issue of Thai-American Business (T-AB), the quarterly magazine of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM). As co-chair of the AMCHAM Legal Committee, Eric is extremely active in the American business community in Thailand. He applies his unique combination of legal expertise and practical awareness of business concerns in Thailand to identify topics and organize events that are interesting and relevant to a broad range of people. In the T-AB profile, Eric recounts how he came to be involved in AMCHAM after joining Tilleke & Gibbins four years ago, and notes that participation in the group has been an excellent way to stay current with the business community and build connections with professionals across various industries. In response to a question on the outlook for ease of doing business in Thailand, Eric sounded a hopeful note, explaining that the country’s strides in the areas of streamlining and digitizing various aspects of doing business should be able to continue after COVID-19, which has actually hastened digitization in several legal areas that had previously been slower to adapt to recent technological advances. Eric now looks forward to continuing to provide important leadership to the AMCHAM Legal Committee as the country and its business community seek to overcome the persistent challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and move toward a sustainable economic recovery.
Read More
June 8, 2021
The latest “Women in Law” report from Asia Business Law Journal (ABLJ) includes a profile of Tiziana Sucharitkul, co-managing partner and director of the Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group. The special report includes profiles of 20 highly accomplished female legal professionals from the Asia-Pacific region. Tiziana is the only person from Thailand to be included in the feature. Titled “View from the Top,” the profile of Tiziana focuses on her many leadership roles—not only at the helm of Tilleke & Gibbins but also in executive and advisory positions for various global legal associations. For instance, in 2018–2019 Tiziana served as chair of the board of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading global network of independent law firms, and she currently sits on the board of the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation and is an active participant in the organization’s Women’s Initiative Network to Success. Tiziana also sits on the International Bar Association’s Law Firm Management Committee, which functions as a global forum for leadership and management in the legal practice. Tiziana also spoke with ABLJ about the increasing profile of women lawyers that she has witnessed during her career, noting that she observed the concern about female representation in law firms grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s all the way until the present day, when more women can be seen in management positions, but are still somewhat underrepresented at the managing partner level overall. To read the full “Women in Law” report, please visit the ABLJ website.
Read More
May 10, 2021
On May 13, 2021, Peeyakorn Suparugbundit, an attorney-at-law in Tilleke & Gibbins’ intellectual property group, will speak at an upcoming Pint of Science Thailand event to provide a legal perspective on scientific achievements and advancement today. Her presentation will explain how researchers and organizations can protect their important cutting-edge discoveries and ensure they are able to benefit from and apply their scientific developments. Peeyakorn will draw especially on her deep experience advising clients—many of whom are in the life sciences industry—on patent applications, management of patent portfolios, and patent enforcement matters. Peeyakorn will be joined by several scientists and researchers presenting on a diverse range of timely scientific topics, such as a study on the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, an explanation of bacterial contagion and evolution, the importance of testing clinical advances through randomized controlled trials, and a look at the causes and impact of the annual “smoky season” in Chiang Mai. Pint of Science Thailand is an annual festival that brings interesting and relevant scientific talks to the public in an accessible and fun format. This year’s festival consists of multiple virtual events; the one on May 13 is being hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand and can be viewed live online with free registration. For more information and to register, please visit the Pint of Science Thailand website.
Read More