Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42781593›Full record

ReviewJournal of pharmaceutical policy and practice2026

Regulatory evolution and service delivery models of telepharmacy in Thailand: a review of pandemic responses and future policy directions.

Patama Tapchaisri, Anuchai Theeraroungchaisri

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Patama TapchaisriPharmacy Unit, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8303-012X
Anuchai TheeraroungchaisriFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4966-9402

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital health adoption in Thailand, disrupting traditional healthcare delivery and prompting rapid pharmaceutical system reforms. Prior to 2020, telepharmacy was virtually non-existent due to strict regulations mandating in-person dispensing at licensed premises; however, the public health crisis prompted policy changes, leading to regulatory relaxation and the formal establishment of telepharmacy standards. To understand these transformative shifts, this review examines the regulatory evolution of telepharmacy in Thailand, classifies diverse service delivery models implemented across hospital and community pharmacy settings, and synthesises effectiveness evidence to inform future pharmaceutical policy and sustainable system integration. Methods: An integrative narrative review using documentary analysis of official policy and regulatory documents was conducted. Studies evaluating telepharmacy or medication delivery services were identified through PRISMA-guided searches of Thai-Journal Citation Index (TCI), PubMed, and Google Scholar (2020-2025). Results: Thailand implemented a phased policy response progressing from emergency regulatory flexibility toward institutionalised governance. Seven hospital-based telepharmacy models were identified. Synthesis of 31 included studies (14 pharmacist-led and 17 telemedicine with medication delivery or medication delivery without pharmacist counselling studies) suggested that telepharmacy and medication delivery services generally supported continuity of care for chronic diseases. Studies involving pharmacist interventions more frequently reported favourable outcomes, although findings varied across service models. Implementation relied largely on social media platforms and proprietary applications, though independent pharmacies faced financial barriers to accessing certified platforms. Conclusion: While telepharmacy has been integrated into routine care under the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), an institutionalisation gap remains regarding sustainable public financing and digital infrastructure. Addressing regulatory clarity, reimbursement mechanisms, digital equity, and platform interoperability will be essential for the long-term and equitable integration of telepharmacy.

Indexed as

COVID-19healthcare innovationpharmaceutical policypharmacy servicetelepharmacyThailand

Identifiers

PMID42781593
PMCPMC13600311

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.