The Drug Administration of Vietnam shows how to look up drug information, 'skills' to avoid buying fake drugs

People buy medicine to treat illnesses at a medical facility in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: TTO

Look up information on registration numbers and licensed drug labels

Step 1 : Access the online public service system of the Department of Drug Administration, Drug Registration section, look up the registration number, at the address:

• https://dichvucong.dav.gov.vn/congbothuoc/index

Step 2: Look up drug registration papers and drug ingredients circulating in Vietnam, enter the drug information you need to find (can be searched by drug name, manufacturing facility, registration facility, drug circulation registration number, ...)

• Select "Search registration number".

• Fill in all information: Registration number (VD-…, VN-…, QLSP-…) or drug name (Paracetamol, Augmentin, …)

• Click the "Search" button to display the results.

Step 3: Compare and check the results, the System will provide:

• Full information about the drug in the columns of drug name, registration number, dosage form, active ingredient, content, registration facility, and manufacturer;

• See sample labels and instructions for use of drugs approved by the Drug Administration in the column Instructions for use/sample labels

To avoid buying fake drugs

1. Buy medicine at reputable places: Only buy medicine at licensed pharmacies, drugstores with reputation and clear address. Do not buy from unclear sources such as markets, street vendors or through social networking sites, livestreams...

2. Check the packaging and information on the medicine:

- Packaging must be intact, not torn, blurred or showing signs of modification.

- Check information such as: drug name, batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, registration number, manufacturer name. This information must be clear and not erased.

- Compare with genuine packaging (if available) to detect differences in color, printing, or logo.

- Observe the color, size, and symbols on the pill and medicine box. If there is a difference from the previous use or from the original description, do not use.

- Use a barcode/QR code scanning application to check product information (if there is a barcode/QR code printed on the box, the code cannot be scanned or the information does not match, be suspicious).

3. Request invoices and documents: When purchasing drugs, request a purchase invoice to ensure origin. The invoice is also the basis for a complaint if counterfeit drugs are detected.

4. Beware of unusual prices: Counterfeit drugs are often sold at unusually low prices to attract buyers. If the price is too low compared to the market, be cautious.

5. Find information from official sources:

- Look up drug information on the website of the Drug Administration of Vietnam (dav.gov.vn) or reputable websites of manufacturers.

- Consult your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing. For prescription drugs, purchase only with a doctor's prescription.

6. Be careful with drugs sold online:

- From July 1, 2025, when Law No. 44/2024 amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Pharmacy comes into effect, a number of new drugs (non-prescription drugs) will be traded (retailed) via e-commerce on e-commerce trading floors, e-commerce sales applications, and e-commerce sales websites with online ordering functions.

- After July 1, 2025, in case of buying medicine online, only buy medicine on websites licensed to sell medicine online; do not buy through social networking platforms or individual sellers with unknown identities.

7. Avoid buying drugs based on advertisements: Avoid believing in advertisements for "miracle drugs" or drugs of unknown origin sold online or by word of mouth.

8. Report if in doubt: If you detect signs of counterfeit drugs, immediately report to the authorities such as the Department of Health, the Drug Administration or the local police for handling. If you have purchased counterfeit drugs, stop using them immediately and contact a medical facility for advice. Using counterfeit drugs can cause serious health risks.

Read more Back to Topics

Back to topic

NGOC MINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuc-quan-ly-duoc-chi-cach-tra-cuu-thong-tin-thuoc-ky-nang-tranh-mua-thuoc-gia-2025041812314808.htm