The director explained the reasons after San Sai Hospital faced a drug shortage crisis, with some patients receiving only 5 pills and others only empty envelopes, a problem ongoing for nearly a year.
Many have raised questions after patients at San Sai Hospital in San Sai District, Chiang Mai Province, shared their hardships due to drug shortages causing some to receive less medication than prescribed. Numerous patients from remote areas have been impacted by having to make additional trips to the hospital to get medicines. Where they used to come once a month, they now must come weekly. Some even received empty envelopes and had to buy medicine themselves to avoid going without medication.
On 11 Sep 2026 GMT+7, reporters visited San Sai Hospital and found many patients receiving incomplete medication. One heart and blood pressure patient, traveling over 70 kilometers round-trip from Huai Hong Khrai in Doi Saket District, said she received only 5 pills, with 45 pills still owed. Since this medicine is taken daily, she must return in 5 days for more without knowing how many pills she will get. This problem has lasted nearly a year without a clear cause, causing her significant inconvenience and extra travel costs. She urged the hospital to resolve the issue promptly.
Dr. Worawut Kowacharakul, director of San Sai Hospital, revealed that the drug shortage has persisted for about a year. The cause is linked to the Middle East war, which has reduced or halted production of some medicines, leading to intermittent shortages.
Another cause is the hospital’s cash flow problems due to some debtors delaying or failing to pay the hospital, affecting its ability to pay pharmaceutical companies. As a result, drug suppliers have slowed deliveries to the hospital. Recently, some debtors have started partial repayments, allowing the hospital to settle accounts and negotiate with drug companies, which have begun gradually resuming deliveries.
Dr. Worawut stated that many hospitals face similar issues, often due to the fiscal year-end and other hospital expenses requiring management. He acknowledged the budget is insufficient since San Sai Hospital is a public hospital serving mostly Universal Coverage patients, with little income from other patient groups. Addressing this problem likely requires systemic structural changes at the policy level.
The hospital director said efforts are ongoing to minimize patient impact. During shortages, the hospital borrowed medicines from other hospitals. San Sai Hospital serves nearly 400,000 people across 7 districts, with over 1,000 patients daily. While medication needs can be forecasted for scheduled patients, walk-in patients cause occasional supply challenges. The hospital strives to manage drug supplies as best as possible.
Currently, the solution involves partially dispensing medication and scheduling follow-up pickups. Once more drugs arrive, the hospital will send medications directly to patients’ homes by mail to reduce travel burdens.
However, the situation is now improving as drug companies have resumed partial deliveries. It is expected to return to normal within two weeks.