16-May-15 The Thai government is looking at reining in skyrocketing healthcare costs at private hospitals by controlling the price of medicines and hospital services. Private hospitals will also be required to post the price of drugs and services on their websites and other channels so patients are informed in advance before commencing treatment. [image: The Nation]

13-May-15 In a bid to expand further into Southeast Asia, Pfizer has struck an agreement on the Laos market with distributor DKSH. Under the deal, DKSH will be the sole market expansion services provider for Pfizer's entire range of pharmaceutical products in Laos. The agreement is an extension of a successful collaboration that also includes Cambodia and Thailand. [image: Bio Spectrum]

10-Mar-15 Online medical education is an opportunity to address the shortage of skilled health workers in many emerging markets. Even surgery can now be taught remotely, an approach being used in Thailand. In Vietnam, an NGO-run video platform connects HIV specialists with community health workers. Doctors in the Philippines have founded an online community called HealthXPh for discussions about healthcare. [image: HAIVN]

11-Mar-15 Thailand's Ministry of Public Health is setting up “Health Zones” in a reform of the country's health mechanisms aimed to reduce disparity and provide greater access. Each zone has a committee to manage finance, workforce and other resources, and to link together local health services, from primary care to highly specialized care in various local facilities. [image: The Nation]

26-Feb-15 The current growth of medical tourism is not stopping Southeast Asian hospitals from thinking about future business. Many are looking beyond their borders in the search of new sources of revenue. Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Thailand's largest private hospital operator, recently opened its third institution in the only foreign country that it operates in, Cambodia. [image: Nikkei Asian Review]