Application for adjustment to the pharmacy practice certificate in Vietnam

Application for adjustment to the pharmacy practice certificate in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. Basic contents of a pharmacy practice certificate in Vietnam

According to Clause 3, Article 29 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016, the basic contents of a pharmacy practice certificate include:

- Personal information about the pharmacy practitioner (the holder);

- The holder’s qualification(s);

- Type of practice;

- Scope of practice;

- Method of issuance of the pharmacy practice certificate (with or without an examination, time of examination);

- Issuance date, issuing authority, and effective date.

2. Application for adjustment to the pharmacy practice certificate in Vietnam

Specifically, in Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree 54/2017/ND-CP,  an application for adjustment to the pharmacy practice certificate mentioned in Article 26 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016 consists of:

(1) The application form No. 05 in Appendix I enclosed with Decree 54/2017/ND-CP, 02 portrait pictures (4x6 cm) of the applicant on a white background which was taken within the last 6 months;

Application for adjustment to the pharmacy practice certificate

(2) If the applicant’s information has to be adjusted, documents proving the adjustment which are one of the following documents: ID card, passport, family register or a confirmation issued by a competent authority as prescribed by law;

(3) If the applicant’s scope of practice has to be adjusted, documents proving the adjustment: relevant qualifications, certificate of internship as an appropriate pharmaceutical facility.

In which, the original copy or certified true copy of the documents specified in (2) and (3).They must be consularly legalized and enclosed with notarized Vietnamese translations if issued by overseas competent authorities.

(Clause 2 and 3, Article 5 of Decree 54/2017/ND-CP)

3. Conditions for issuance of a pharmacy practice certificate in Vietnam

According to Article 13 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016, to be issued with a pharmacy practice certificate, a person must:

- Has any qualifications issued or recognized in Vietnam suitable for his/her position and the pharmacy business establishment. Such qualifications include:

+ Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy (hereinafter referred to as pharmacist degree);

+ Bachelor’s degree in general medicine;

+ Bachelor’s degree in traditional medicine or traditional pharmacy;

+ Bachelor’s degree in biology;

+ Bachelor’s degree in chemistry;

+ College degree in pharmacy;

+ Associate degree in pharmacy;

+ College degree or associate degree in medicine;

+ Associate degree in traditional medicine or traditional pharmacy;

+ Basic diploma in pharmacy;

+ Certificate of traditional physician or pharmacist, certificate of hereditary remedy, or other traditional medicine qualifications issued before the effective date of of the Law on Pharmacy 2016.

The products qualifications specified in Point 1 of Clause 1 of Article 13 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016 required as a condition shall be specified by the Ministry of Health according to socio-economic development, the people’s need for medical examination and treatment in each area and each period.

- Has served an apprenticeship at a pharmacy business establishment, the pharmacy of a health facility, a pharmacy training school, a pharmacy research institute, a facility specialized in testing drugs and medicinal ingredients, a pharmacy authority, or a representative office in Vietnam of a foreign trader engaged in pharmacy (hereinafter referred to as pharmacy establishment); a health facility suitable for the practitioner’s expertise as follows:

+ For a person whose pharmacy practice certificate is revoked as prescribed in Clause 9 Article 28 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016, the apprenticeship is not required. However, he/she must take a refresher course in pharmacy;

+ For a person having a postgraduate degree suitable for the scope of practice, the apprenticeship duration may be shortened as prescribed by the Government;

+ For a person having any of the qualifications specified in Point l Clause 1 Article 13 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016, the apprenticeship duration shall be specified by the Minister of Health.

- Has a certificate of suitable health for pharmacy practice issued by a competent health facility.

- Not:

+ Be facing a criminal prosecution, serving a court’s sentence or ruling; be suspended from practice or doing works related to pharmacy under the court’s sentence or ruling;

+ Have limited legal capacity.

- Any person who wishes to take an examination to obtain a pharmacy practice certificate must fully satisfy the conditions specified in this Article.

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