Rights and obligations of pharmacy practitioners in Vietnam

Rights and obligations of pharmacy practitioners in Vietnam (Internet image)

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

1. Rights and obligations of pharmacy practitioners in Vietnam

1.1. Rights of pharmacy practitioners in Vietnam

- Be provided with training in pharmacy; exchange professional knowledge and law about pharmacy.

- Be provided with the pharmacy practice certificate when the conditions specified in this Law are fully satisfied.

- The person in charge of expertise a pharmacy business establishment may authorize a holder of a pharmacy practice certificate to take charge in his/her stead as prescribed when he/she is absent.

- The chief pharmacist of a drugstore may replace drugs in a prescription with other drugs that have the same active ingredients, usage, and dose if agreed by the buyer and is responsible for such replacement.

- Refuse to act against regulations of law or code of ethics.

(Article 30 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016)

1.2. Obligations of pharmacy practitioners in Vietnam

- Adhere to the code of ethics for pharmacy practitioners.

- The person in charge of expertise of a drug retailer must be present throughout its operation, except for the case specified in Clause 3 Article 30 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016.

- Only take charge of one pharmacy business establishment at one pharmacy business location.

- Practice pharmacy within the scope written on the pharmacy practice certificate and technical regulations.

- Comply with decisions of competent authorities in case of an epidemic or disaster.

- Complete the training program and refresher program in pharmacy within 03 years from the issuance date of the pharmacy practice certificate or the issuance date of the latest certificate of completion of training program and refresher program in pharmacy.

- Notify competent authorities or persons of violations against the law or code of ethics committed by other pharmacy practitioners and take responsibility for such information.

(Article 31 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016)

2. Management of pharmacy practice certificates in Vietnam

- A person shall be issued with only one pharmacy practice certificate.

The pharmacy practice certificate shall specify the scope of practice within which the certificate holder is allowed to practice.

A pharmacy practice certificate does not have an expiration date and is recognized nationwide.

A pharmacy practice certificate expires when its holder is dead or missing under a court’s decision or fails to have the certificate of completion of training program and refresher program in pharmacy within 03 years from the issuance date of the pharmacy practice certificate or the issuance date of the latest certificate of completion of training program and refresher program in pharmacy.

- The recognition of pharmacy practice certificates among countries complies with international agreements and treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.

- Basic content of a pharmacy practice certificate:

+ 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.

(Article 29 of the Law on Pharmacy 2016)

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