Thailand opens medical cannabis clinic in NongKhai

0
3513

NONG KHAI – NongKhai hospital has opened its medical cannabis clinic, providing the general public with access to safe extracts from cannabis and herbs for medical usage. Patients can now opt to receive their drugs after a doctor’s appointment at participating pharmacies close to home.



NongKhai Hospital Director Surakit Yosapon, said today the new medical cannabis clinic opens every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with trained doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and traditional Thai medicine therapists providing Western and Thai medicine treatment options to patients. The medications are supported by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization and the Department of Medicine to promote safe usage of cannabis and herbal extracts for medical purposes.

At the same time, Hong Khai hospital has become the first hospital in the upper northeastern region that allows eligible patients to receive their medicine after their doctor’s appointment, at any of the participating pharmacies close to home. This will help reduce crowding at the hospital, reduce waiting time, and provide more options to the patients. Only patients with diabetes, blood pressure disorders, asthma, and mental illnesses are eligible for this program in the initial phase.

Only four private pharmacies are participating in this program right now, promising to deliver the exact same drugs as prescribed by the hospital. More pharmacies will be added in NongKhai as well as Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Bueng Kan, in the near future. (NNT)