Abstract
This study aimed to explore the current situation, capacities, constraints, and development
pathways of Thailand’s active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) supply chain to strengthen long-term
medicine security. A qualitative research method was employed, drawing on a review of literature
from policy and academic documents, together with an analysis of in-depth interview data from
stakeholders involved in the pharmaceutical system, pharmaceutical industry, regulation, research,
and procurement. The findings were analysed using the Supply Chain Resilience (SCRES) framework,
which comprises four key dimensions: visibility, flexibility, redundancy, and strategic control.
The findings revealed that Thailand’s API supply chain still faces several structural
constraints, including a high level of dependence on imported APIs, the absence of a national API
data system, limited adaptability in the upstream supply chain, insufficient backup production
capacity for critical APIs, and limited public-sector capacity to strategically guide the direction of API
development. Although Thailand has important foundational capacities, including a pharmaceutical
regulatory system, a finished pharmaceutical product manufacturing industry, and capable research
personnel, these resources have not yet been effectively managed or linked to a national strategy.
As a result, Thailand’s API system remains largely reactive, responding to problems after they occur
rather than proactively anticipating, preventing, and managing risks in advance.
This study proposes the TH-SCRES Model as an approach to strengthen the resilience of
Thailand’s API supply chain. The model consists of five pillars: (1) strategic API prioritisation, (2)
development of a national API data system, (3) pilot-to-scale infrastructure, (4) reform of marketshaping and procurement mechanisms, and (5) establishment of a national governance mechanism
to coordinate relevant agencies. The study also recommends that Thailand adopt a portfolio-based
strategy for API management, applying different policy measures according to the importance of
each API to the health system, its supply chain risk, and its feasibility for domestic production, rather
than pursuing domestic production of all APIs.
In conclusion, this study highlights that strengthening Thailand’s API supply chain security
requires building resilience across the entire supply chain system through data, infrastructure, market
mechanisms, investment, and strategic governance. The TH-SCRES Model may therefore serve as a
policy-oriented framework for enhancing Thailand’s medicine security and API supply chain
resilience.
