Consultation with EU Delegation

On 23 March 2017, EABC President, Mr. Rolf-Dieter Daniel, led EABC Intellectual Property Rights working group to meet with Delegation of the European Union to Thailand to discuss Intellectual Property Rights issues in order for the country to achieve Thailand 4.0.

The EU Delegation consisted of Mr. Philipp Dupuis, Head of The Economic and Trade Section, Mr. Seth Van Doorn, Regional IPR Officer, Mr. Fernando Perreau de Pinninck, Head of Unit for Intellectual Property and Public Procurement and Mr. Jan Schmitz, Policy Officer. EABC participants were Dr. Thavirap Tantiwongse, EABC Board and Chair of EABC Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals working group / EABC Silver Partner / GSK, Mr. Phanthachak Wongprecha, Chair of EABC Intellectual Property Rights working group / EABC Gold Partner / PMI, Mr. Chaladbhum Temkasem, EABC Policy Manager, and other EABC IPR representatives Ms. Rachanatorn Laohapan, EABC Gold Partner / Diageo, Ms. Khemika Ratanakul, EABC Gold Partner / Diageo, Ms. Paranee Adulyapichet, EABC Silver Partner / Bayer, Ms. Noémie Sancelme / Vidon & Partners and EABC intern Ms. Lena Friedrich.

Key points reviewed were intellectual property and trademark protection, the dangers of counterfeit alcohol and medicines as well as the problem of dealing with counterfeits due to the uncertain legal framework. There is a great need of effective measures and establishment of a comprehensive patent law in order to dam the counterfeiting and selling of aforesaid fake products. Issues further discussed were the lack of Human Resources and experts in order to achieve Thailand 4.0. It has been pinpointed that – especially in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry – a development of HR through postdoctoral candidates and work alongside industrial innovators and experts could most likely be beneficial for Thailand.