The Drug Administration of Vietnam directs to prevent speculation and taking advantage of the influence of the epidemic to increase drug prices

Prevention of speculation and taking advantage of the influence of the epidemic to increase drug prices in Vietnam

On April 8, 2023, the Drug Administration of Vietnam issued Official Letter 4446/QLD-KD in 2023 on ensuring the supply of drugs for disease prevention.

Pursuant to Official Letter 4446/QLD-KD in 2023, there are regulations on prevention of speculation and taking advantage of the influence of the epidemic to increase drug prices as follows:

3. Drug manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers increase the supply, especially for drugs to treat COVID-19 and other diseases such as dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, monkeypox, cholera..., drugs on the list of rare drugs, drugs not available; develop and implement a drug supply plan to serve the people's medical examination and treatment needs, promptly supply enough drugs when receiving orders from medical examination and treatment establishments, not to let the first situation happen. Do not take advantage of the impact of the epidemic to increase drug prices.

Thus, prevention of speculation and taking advantage of the influence of the epidemic to increase drug prices in Vietnam is one of the directions of the Drug Administration of Vietnam, which directs production, import and wholesale establishments, retail medicine.

+ Increase supply, especially for drugs to treat COVID-19 and other diseases such as: dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, smallpox, cholera, etc drugs on the list of rare drugs, drugs not available Have;

+ Develop and implement drug supply plans to serve the people's medical examination and treatment needs, promptly supply enough drugs when receiving orders from medical examination and treatment facilities;

In addition, the Drug Administration of Vietnam also requests the Departments of Health of provinces and central-affilied cities to direct the Center for Disease Control and medical examination and treatment facilities in the area to urgently:

+ Develop and implement a drug reserve plan appropriate to reality to ensure adequate drug supply,

+ Absolutely do not let there be a shortage of medicine to serve medical examination and treatment for the people; which focuses on ensuring sufficient and timely supply of drugs and vaccines for Covid-19 epidemic prevention and treatment of other diseases such as dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, smallpox, cholera, etc drugs on the list of rare drugs and unavailable drugs.

- Direct drug businesses in the area to develop and implement drug supply plans to serve the treatment needs of medical examination and treatment facilities and people in the area.

Do not take advantage of the epidemic to suddenly increase prices, especially for COVID-19 treatment drugs and drugs with limited supply.

- Hospitals and institutes under the Ministry shall review and urgently:

+ Develop and implement plans for storing, purchasing, and receiving drugs in accordance with reality to ensure adequate drug supply;

+ Absolutely do not let there be a shortage of medicine to serve medical examination and treatment for the people; In which, attention is paid to ensuring the availability of adequate and timely supply of drugs and vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 and other diseases that may increase in the near future, drugs on the list of rare drugs and drugs that are not available.

Are medicines used for preventing and treating diseases on humans included in the list of commodities in national reserve in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 2 Article 27 of the National Reverse in 2012 stipulating lists of commodities in national reserve as follows:

Lists of commodities in national reserve

1. Commodities on the list of commodities in national reserve must satisfy the national reserve objectives specified in Article 3 of this Law and one of the following criteria:

a/ Being strategic and essential, having a high use frequency or an effect of timely response in emergencies;

b/ Being of special types, which cannot be replaced;

c/ Being supplies, equipment and commodities assuring defense and security but their domestic production has not yet met the quantity, quality and type requirements.

2. The list of commodities in national reserve covers the following commodity groups:

a/ Food;

b/ Rescue and salvage supplies and equipment;

c/ Supplies of common use for industrial mobilization;

d/ White salt;

e/ Fuel;

f/ Industrial explosives;

g/ Plant seeds;

h/ Pesticides;

i/ Germicides used for environment cleaning, treatment of water for living and aquaculture;

j/ Medicines used for preventing and treating diseases on humans;

k/ Drugs for treating diseases on cattle, poultry, plant and aquatic organisms;

1/ Supplies, equipment and commodities serving National defense and security .

3. Where it is necessary to adjust the list of commodities in national reserve, the Government shall report it to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and decision.

4. The Government shall detail Clause 2 of this Article.

As regulations above, medicines used for preventing and treating diseases on humans are included in the list of commodities in national reserve in Vietnam.

What are criterias for medicines used for preventing and treating diseases on humans in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 1 Article 27 of the National Reverse in 2012 stipulating criterias for commodities in national reserve as follows:

- Being strategic and essential, having a high use frequency or an effect of timely response in emergencies;

- Being of special types, which cannot be replaced;

- Being supplies, equipment and commodities assuring defense and security but their domestic production has not yet met the quantity, quality and type requirements.

Best regards!