Who 'assisted' Viet A?

Millions of test kits are overpriced

According to the investigation conclusion, in early 2020, when the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, the Ministry of Science and Technology approved the research project to manufacture Covid-19 test kits.

Phan Quoc Viet, General Director of Viet A Technology Joint Stock Company (referred to as Viet A Company) colluded with Mr. Trinh Thanh Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Economic and Technical Sectors (Ministry of Science and Technology), to help Viet A Company participate in coordinating with the Military Medical Academy to carry out the project, then used the research results to prepare a registration dossier to send to the Ministry of Health.

Viet also requested Nguyen Van Trinh (former assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister), Nguyen Thanh Long (former Minister of Health), Nguyen Huynh (former secretary of Mr. Long) to intervene, influence, and direct the Ministry of Health to issue a decision to grant a registration number for the circulation of test kits to Viet A Company. The defendants' actions turned the Covid-19 test kit from a research product owned by the State under the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology into property owned by Viet A Company, in violation of the law.

When Viet A Company commercially produced, Viet directed the price structure to be inflated. Investigation results showed that the maximum production cost of test kits was only over 143,000 VND/test kit, including 5% profit and all costs. However, the Ministry of Health still negotiated and determined the price to be 470,000 VND/test kit.

Not only that, Viet and his accomplices also committed a series of violations in bidding. The defendant directed his subordinates to contact intermediary companies and medical facilities, agreeing to deliver test kits to these units for use first, then legalize the bidding documents and make final payments. Viet also stated that after Viet A Company was paid according to the contract, the defendant directed his subordinates to pay large sums of money as "commissions" outside the contract to intermediary companies or medical units and facilities.

The investigation results determined that in the period of 2020 - 2021, Viet A Company produced a total of nearly 8.8 million test kits, sold nearly 8.4 million test kits and received payment for nearly 6 million test kits with a total value of more than 2,250 billion VND. Phan Quoc Viet was proposed to be prosecuted for violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences, causing damage to the State of more than 432 billion VND; and for bribery with an amount of more than 106 billion VND.

Former Health Minister Received $2.25 Million in Bribes

The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency determined that in order to participate in scientific research, issue registration numbers, and negotiate test kit prices, Phan Quoc Viet gave a total of 3.45 million USD and 4 billion VND to officials of many ministries and branches.

The two defendants Chu Ngoc Anh (left) and Nguyen Thanh Long

Of these, Viet bribed former Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long with 2.25 million USD. Mr. Long was accused of knowing that the test kit was a product of a state-owned research project, and that Viet A Company was not qualified to be granted a product registration number. However, when Viet requested, Mr. Long still directed his subordinates to create conditions for Viet A Company to be granted a temporary registration number, then an official one.

During the process of checking the negotiated price of the test kit, the inspection team discovered that Viet A Company had violated the production materials and suggested that the Ministry of Health revoke the company's registration number, but Mr. Long did not give timely instructions. Up to now, the defendant has not issued an inspection conclusion according to the Prime Minister's instructions.

The above actions led to Viet A Company selling test kits to units and localities at inflated prices, causing particularly large losses. Even when Viet A Company produced and commercialized the test kits, Mr. Long introduced them to leaders of some localities, creating conditions for the company to sell the products.

Another former official accused of receiving money from Phan Quoc Viet is Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh, former Minister of Science and Technology. Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh knew that the test kit research project was owned by the State and that Viet A Company used the results in violation of regulations, but he did not perform the management functions and tasks that he was supposed to do.

Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh also let the Ministry of Science and Technology hold a press conference, issue a press release about the Viet A test kit; directly sign the commendation decision, sign the proposal for the Prime Minister to commend Viet A Company; direct a deputy minister to sign an official dispatch to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to help the company be awarded the Third Class Labor Medal to the wrong recipient.

In particular, the former Minister of Science and Technology was "thanked" by Phan Quoc Viet with 200,000 USD. The investigation agency determined that Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh did not discuss, agree or make it difficult for Viet to give money. Therefore, the defendant was proposed to be prosecuted for violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing waste and loss, with the loss being nearly 19 billion VND that the budget spent on researching the Covid-19 test kit.

38 defendants and 6 charges

38 defendants were proposed to be prosecuted on 6 different charges. Among them, Phan Quoc Viet and Vu Dinh Hiep, Deputy General Director of Viet A Company, were both accused of violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences and bribery.

Two defendants, Chu Ngoc Anh and Pham Cong Tac, former Deputy Ministers of Science and Technology, were proposed to be prosecuted for violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing waste and loss.

Six defendants were proposed to be prosecuted for bribery, including: Nguyen Thanh Long; Pham Duy Tuyen, former Director of the Center for Disease Control of Hai Duong province; Trinh Thanh Hung, former Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology for Economic and Technical Sectors (Ministry of Science and Technology); Nguyen Minh Tuan, former Director of the Department of Medical Equipment and Construction (Ministry of Health); Nguyen Huynh, former Deputy Head of the Department of Drug Price Management (Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health); Nguyen Nam Lien, former Director of the Department of Financial Planning (Ministry of Health).

21 defendants were proposed to be prosecuted for violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences; 2 defendants were proposed to be prosecuted for abusing influence over people with positions and powers for personal gain; 2 defendants were proposed to be prosecuted for abusing positions and powers while performing official duties; 2 defendants were proposed to be prosecuted for bribery...

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