Baxter International Inc. Commits to Thailand’s Healthcare Industry

In 1986, Baxter distributed its first Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) products in Thailand, and opened a Bangkok office in 1992. Company officials said that ongoing dialogues over the years with Thai government agencies and healthcare professionals helped them understand the healthcare policies and needs in Thailand and informed their decisions on investments relating to education and training, and the recently announced PD manufacturing facility. 

Baxter International Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. And as a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

Baxter’s Focus in Thailand

In Thailand, Baxter partners with universities, healthcare institutions and government agencies to address issues related to standards of care and access barriers to critical care.   In September 2012, Baxter announced a $70 million investment in a new manufacturing facility for Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) products in Thailand to support the Thai government’s dialysis policy, meet increasing need for PD and to enhance access to home dialysis care among the Thai population.

Investment in the Thai Workforce

Baxter has also had much success in recruiting highly-educated talent in Thailand with its current office and customer support center of 150 staff and is continuing its investment with its new PD facility.  Set to be fully functioning in 2016, the new facility will hire and train 400 Thai professionals at the new PD facility.  

Baxter Forms a Strong Relationship with the BOI and Thai Government

Baxter profoundly appreciates the guidance provided by the Thailand Board of Investment, which has greatly helped inform Baxter’s decisions surrounding investment allocation. The information requested by the BOI in the application process and further clarifications requested during the review process clearly demonstrate a genuine interest by the BOI to understand the investor’s proposal and objectives.

Thailand’s government has established clear policies for investment, and the right infrastructure to address industry needs. And most importantly, the government has established a strong vision on future access for patients to life saving and sustaining peritoneal dialysis care, which Baxter will support through all of its new investments in the field.

“Baxter is proud to be the first U.S. healthcare company to invest and establish a manufacturing presence in Thailand. This facility supports the nation’s dialysis policy and will meet demand for and enhance access to home dialysis care for patients. Baxter believes partnerships are critical in creating and ensuring a sustainable healthcare future for Thailand. As a leader in the discovery and development of innovative specialised treatments for chronic and acute medical diseases, Baxter is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of the country. Our partnerships have been focused on expanding and sustaining access to quality care by strengthening the healthcare systems through standards of care and training for healthcare professionals.”

-Shankar Kaul, General Manager & Region Head, South East Asia, India & Korea