The Public Health Ministry insisted last week’s raids on four unauthorised sites producing Hong Thai inhalers were not intended to undermine small- and medium-sized enterprises, saying the operation was based on public health concerns.
Speaking after meeting with officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and executives from Thai Herbal Hongthai Co Ltd, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat stressed that the investigation was conducted strictly in accordance with the law and relevant safety protocols.
“Our priority is public health. This was not an effort to harm any business or the inhaler industry,” he said.
FDA secretary-general Suphattra Bunserm said that the agency began testing more than 10 inhaler samples in May. Laboratory results showed that three products, including the popular Hong Thai Formula 2, were contaminated with microbes beyond permissible limits.
Ms Suphattra said the company is now working with authorities to improve quality assurance.
According to Ms Suphattra, more than 700 traditional herbal businesses, most of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have registered under the FDA’s programme to improve their ability to meet product safety standards.