2008 Asian of the Year is Thai pharmacist

BANGKOK, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Reader's Digest has handed out its annual Asian of the Year honor to Thai pharmacist Krisana Kraisintu, who has worked on medications for HIV and malaria.

The 55-year-old pharmacist not only has been tirelessly working on developing anti-malaria drugs, but also earned the annual honor for her efforts to combat HIV-AIDS, the Thai News Agency reported Saturday.

Among the accomplishments of the former director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization's Research and Development Institute was the development of the drug Zidovudine.

If taken by HIV-positive women who are pregnant, Zidovudine has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of the mother-to-be passing on her disease to her child.

Kraisintu gladly accepted the Asian of the Year honor and the $5,000 honorarium accompanying it, but told the news agency she will remain focused on developing inexpensive anti-AIDS medications for the world.