Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Higher Degree Research Students/Alumni Profiles

Dr Araya Sripairoj

PhD Thesis, completed in 2005

Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs) in Thai hospitals: Lessons learnt from a study of performance indicators

This thesis examined the problems and performance of Thai Hospital Drug and Therapeutic Committees (DTCs) as a tool to improve rational drug use (RDU). DTCs in all hospitals were found to focus their activities and performance indicators primarily on drug selection and budgets, while rational drug use activities were relatively neglected. Few DTC meetings were held in regional or provincial hospitals, and there was limited understanding or application of broader roles of DTCs such as monitoring and improving drug use. This study recommended that a Thai RDU Unit be established to assist DTCs to improve their RDU activities and it produced a revised up-to-date manual containing practical guidance for DTCs.

Dr Araya Sripairoj, PhD, is currently back in Thailand.