For nearly 6 decades, the ‘Government Pharmaceutical Organization’ (GPO) has been considered the main agency that is involved with the health of Thai people. Whether in times of epidemic crisis Or in normal situations, GPO is the answer to drug security that everyone trusts.
But on the day that the world is ‘Transform’ with the speed of technology The pharmaceutical industry is also undergoing a wave of drastic change. From familiar chemical medicines to biotechnology and medical technology of the future that is beyond imagination.
How will GPO move into its 6th decade? gleaming Talked with Dr. Mingkwan Suphanphong, Director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization. of his sharp vision in leading this organization to be ‘in the know’ and ready to soar forward sustainably.
6 A decade of trust Strong foundation of GPO
Table of Contents
- 6 A decade of trust Strong foundation of GPO
- When the world changes…medicine must change to cope. Paradigm Shift historical times
- GPO Pharmaceutical Summit 2026 Bringing together world-class brain power Towards the future of Thailand
- From engineering to medicine The turning point that discovered the meaning of the profession
- Stepping towards health system reform, developing the ’30 baht to cure every disease’ policy.
- Leadership Mission of the Institute of Skin Diseases To the Bang Sue Central Vaccination Center
- to GPO and working style ‘Go ahead…with a plan’
Before looking to the future, Dr. Mingkwan took us back to experience the true heart of GPO, which is the foundation that has made the organization stand for so long.
“Our core mission has not changed in 60 years: ‘Ensuring the nation’s drug security.’ In emergencies, GPO produces and supplies medicines and vaccines to get us through the crisis. In normal situations Although we encourage the private sector to become producers of drugs and medical supplies, But the Government Pharmaceutical Organization still plays a role in producing orphan drugs. or medicines that are necessary but the amount used is relatively small Until there is hardly any private sector interested in producing Medicines for various chronic diseases or necessary medicines There is a lot of demand. But they are very expensive if imported from abroad. These various categories of medicines GPO will focus on research, development and production.
Dr. Mingkwan gives a concrete example to give a clearer picture: “Our HIV antiretroviral drug is an example that we are proud of. Currently, infected people have access to medicine for all treatment rights. This gives them a good quality of life and a long lifespan. or medicine to treat hepatitis C Which if imported will be very expensive, but GPO can produce it at a reasonable price. Push until patients have access to treatment. With a cure rate of over 90%, this is the role of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization. is to give Thai people access to effective treatment without having to bear the burden of exorbitant costs
“Trust or the trust that Thai people have in It is an important force that drives us to do our best. and must look as far ahead as possible.”
When the world changes…medicine must change to cope. Paradigm Shift historical times
From a solid foundation, GPOs are adapting to face the greatest challenges in the history of the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Mingkwan likens this change to a scene from a movie.
“The pharmaceutical industry is now like the transition from the era of film cameras to digital and smartphones. It is a ‘Paradigm Shift’ or a major paradigm shift. from drugs made with chemicals It is being replaced by biological drugs (Biologics) and medical advances such as ATMPs (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) such as the use of cell and gene therapy (Cell and Gene Therapy), which are very specific and accurate treatments.
“GPOs must be ‘aware and adaptive’ to keep up with this huge wave. And we are prepared. In 2026, the new pharmaceutical factory in Rangsit will be fully operational. This will dramatically increase our ability to produce new medicines and treatments. With a production process that is superior to general international standards. So that Thai people can use high quality medicine. and show the full potential of the country to the world.”
GPO Pharmaceutical Summit 2026 Bringing together world-class brain power Towards the future of Thailand
To announce its readiness and mobilize knowledge for entering its 60th year, GPO has organized a major international academic conference, GPO Pharmaceutical Summit 2026, between 15-16 January 2026 at True Icon Siam.
“We intend for this event to bring together the ‘brain power’ of the global medical and pharmaceutical industries in one place. We invite legendary speakers, including Professor Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Prize-winning scientist; that will open up the world of personalized precision medicine (Personalized Medicine) Dr. Sherine Helmy, CEO from Egypt who will pass on lessons on eradicating the hepatitis C virus This is a goal that GPO intends to achieve in Thailand within the next 3 years as well.
“There are also interesting topics such as tackling drug-resistant infections and treating cancer with the immune system. And what is very special is that we have invited pharmacists that everyone is familiar with, such as Mr. Boy – Pakorn Chatborirak and Mr. Bint – Dr. Sirithon. Lee Aramwat Come join in creating color and sharing perspectives that connect health science to make it easier to access.
“GPO Summit 2026 is therefore not just a conference, but a way to ‘join forces’ to prepare for the future. It reinforces our vision that GPO is the country’s ‘main organization for drug and medical supply security’. that Thai people truly trust and are proud of.”
The general’s role GPO It reflects the determination to do things for the highest public benefit of ‘Dr. Mingkwan Suphanpong’, which he adhered to throughout his working life. Whether as a doctor or Director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization To take care of important factors of life such as ‘medicine’ for Thai people all over the country.
From engineering to medicine The turning point that discovered the meaning of the profession
“If we’re being honest, At first, I didn’t want to study medicine at all. With my personal style and preferences, I want to study engineering. But my father asked me to help him choose a doctor. At that time, we thought a lot too. Because it is a direct examination for southern students to enter university (Songkla Nakarin) where only three ranks can be selected. But Father gave us encouragement that we could do it. And this profession is good. Because being a doctor is a profession that is like making merit every day. So I chose medicine first and passed the exam.
“During the first year, I still didn’t feel too much into it, but I really got into it when I was in my 4th year when I started taking responsibility for the lives of patients. In one case we detected a pathogen that is not often found and is not often thought of. The patient has symptoms similar to tuberculosis. namely chronic cough and weight loss This may be diagnosed as tuberculosis or lung cancer. But when the infection was stained, it was not found. So we got curious and realized that there was another way to stain the bacteria (modified acid fast stain) instead of the normal stain. So we tried it and it turned out that we found Nocardia, which is an infection that requires another type of medicine to treat.
“That incident made us think. Even though I am only a 4th year student, with our profession We can save one person’s life. This is the point that makes me think back to the teachings of my parents. And it is something that always reminds us that Being a doctor requires responsibility. Strive for knowledge and want to do this job the best I can.”
Stepping towards health system reform, developing the ’30 baht to cure every disease’ policy.
“What I have always held dear in my working life is Doing what is most beneficial After that, I began to have the idea of wanting to benefit the public in the bigger picture.
“In the past, newly graduated doctors were sent on scholarship to other provinces and most had to do administrative work as well. You yourself must be the director of the hospital. Even though at first he couldn’t even sign a check. At that point, I turned my attention to administration and policy more. When finished using the capital I came to study to be a specialist doctor at the Skin Disease Institute. But at the same time I went to study for a master’s degree. Public Administration evening class at Chula because I wanted to review what we did right and wrong when we were hospital directors.
“During that time, the trend of health system reform was booming all over the world. So I did a thesis on ‘Health care reform, proposal for Thailand’ which became an important turning point in my life when P’ Sanguan (Dr. Sanguan Nittayaramphong) received a grant from the EU to do a research project on this subject. I read it and invited me to join the team as well. Even then it seemed strange that a dermatologist would be doing policy research. But with personal intention and faith in P’Sanguan We decided to go do it.
I worked on that project for almost 7 full years (conducting examinations and surgery at Phra Nang Klao Hospital two days a week) until the first phase of research is completed. and has been put into practice as the ’30 baht to cure every disease’ policy, which marks an important change in the Thai health welfare system. That allows everyone to have equal access to the health system with dignity. In those 7 years, I learned from P’ Sangwan and the team. It is an honor to be part of this team at one point in my life.”
Leadership Mission of the Institute of Skin Diseases To the Bang Sue Central Vaccination Center
“After the 30 baht policy came into existence, most workers moved to the National Health Security Office (NHSO). But I decided to come back to work as a full-time dermatologist at Phra Nang Klao Hospital Until being appointed as the director of the Institute of Skin Diseases He served in this position for approximately 10 years.
“During that time, working was very fun and fulfilling. We have broadened the role of the Institute of Dermatology. From the beginning, the emphasis was on producing specialized doctors. has become the main institution for caring for patients with difficult cases and educating the public. In addition, it has initiated commercial research and development. Take the formulas of medicines and cosmeceuticals that the institute has accumulated for more than 50 years and develop them into good quality products at prices accessible to the public.
“But the mission is perhaps the most unrelated. That was when I was the director of the Institute of Skin Diseases. was assigned to be Director of Bang Sue Central Vaccination Center which is a very big responsibility The Institute of Dermatology, which has less than 400 people, must help manage the COVID-19 vaccination center. It is probably the largest and most injectable center in the world.
“During that time it was a very challenging and hard working period. But it’s a weight that doesn’t have time to think that it’s heavy. In the blink of an eye, almost 500 days have passed where we worked without a break… Almost two years We received cooperation from all sectors, including the government, private sector, and volunteers. I am very grateful for the power of Thai people’s cooperation. It gives confidence in the potential of our country that in times of crisis, we are ready to mobilize all our strength to overcome the crisis together.
“If it will have a little impact on your life. That is, we had an Empty Nest condition (empty nest condition) without realizing it. Before taking responsibility for the Bang Sue center, my son, about 11-12 years old, was still very attached to his mother. When we had to control the center We must separate floors to prevent infection. It appears that after Covid ends, Bang Sue work ends, the separated children grow up to be teenagers and are separated into permanent rooms. Never come back to live with my mother again. It is the emergence of the Empty Nest condition quickly and rarely. But everything else is fine.”
to GPO and working style ‘Go ahead…with a plan’
“For the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), I am personally impressed. Because we have worked together both while at the Institute of Dermatology and during COVID-19, we see that GPO is an organization that plays an important role in building the country’s drug and vaccine security. When I got the opportunity to work at GPO, I didn’t hesitate because this place is like another star that shines in helping society.
“Our working style is ‘go ahead,’ I like to say. If you have to do something, then don’t ‘lad’, but do it with a reasonable plan. I think that in any work, there is no way that we will have 100% complete information, but if we prepare and study carefully enough, We will see the possibilities in each situation (Scenario) and then we will also think about what the worst outcome (Worst-Case Scenario) is. Is it acceptable? If you can accept it, then decide to go for it.
“Another thing is that we are people who adapt quickly. If you go ahead and fail. I will fix it quickly. And someone who doesn’t wait for problems to come to them. If you know that there is definitely a problem, you choose to ‘hit the problem’ to create a quick and timely solution. But wading like this It’s important to always have a back-up plan… If it’s complete like this, I’ll do it right away. It might look brutal and goofy, and it’s a little inconsistent with my look.” (laughs)
All of this is behind the strength of GPO To lead Thailand to cope and adapt to the major changes in the pharmaceutical industry that are taking place. Ready to move forward to care for the quality of life of Thai people sustainably
Prepare to meet an important gathering of brainpower in the pharmaceutical industry. At the international academic conference “GPO PHARMACEUTICAL SUMMIT 2026” by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization.
Come join us in “Evolving Pharma for Tomorrow” on 15-16 January 2026 at True Icon Hall, ICONSIAM, Bangkok.
Meet international expert speakers. Nobel Prize-winning scientist Researchers, new treatment approaches, doctors, pharmacists, and guest artists.
Follow details, schedule, speakers and reserve tickets today at
Note: This article was filmed before October 24, 2025.
