The southeast countries and members of South Eastern Nations (ASEAN: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand) have been working on unifying their health care systems as reported in Pharmaceutical technology in June 2013 with the link to the full article below.
There are several interesting points to note in the ASEAN countries. It is a comparison of two countries with different policies and how that has affected their economy in Pharmaceuticals.
Indonesia is trying to setup of a system of universal health care. This is commendable since many rich and developed nations have struggled with it and not succeeded. It is also amazing how government regulation affects the economy in pharmaceuticals. Indonesia allowed 100% ownership of pharmaceutical companies and the sector grew by twice their GDP!
Contrast that with Philippines – The Government set a maximum drug price. It increased the generic process and decreased freedom to patent new uses for previously existing drugs. This has led to their pharmaceutical economy not growing as fast.
Despite these differences the ASEAN countries are working with each other, such as the mutual recognition of inspections. For pharmaceutical companies, this area will be the one to watch with a population of nearly 600 million and great demand for innovative medicines.