The Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) affirmed that it still ensures sufficient supply of drugs containing the active ingredient Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to treat flu on the market, people do not need to panic or buy drugs to stockpile.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) affirmed that it still ensures sufficient supply of drugs containing the active ingredient Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to treat flu on the market, people do not need to panic or buy drugs to stockpile.
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| Seasonal flu vaccination is essential to avoid complications caused by this disease. |
Increased flu cases and complications
According to the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC), in January 2025, the city recorded 820 cases of influenza (an increase of 51 cases compared to the same period in 2024), with a total of 7,133 cases in 2024, with no deaths recorded. Influenza patients were recorded year-round in 30/30 districts, towns, and cities, with an increasing trend from December to May of the following year.
In addition, according to information from medical facilities, the number of patients with severe complications due to flu has also increased. The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases is treating a number of flu patients, including a severe case of influenza A requiring ECMO intervention. MSc. Pham Van Phuc, Deputy Director of the Intensive Care Center (Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases) emphasized that people with underlying diseases, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems need to be especially careful when contracting the flu. Early detection and treatment of flu is extremely important to avoid serious complications such as pneumonia, multiple organ failure, and death.
There are two types of flu vaccines available: inactivated seasonal flu vaccines (killed viruses or parts of the virus) and live attenuated vaccines. These flu vaccines are safe and highly effective. Seasonal flu vaccines can be trivalent (3 strains of viruses) or quadrivalent (4 strains of viruses), which protect against the most common strains of flu viruses circulating.
On a national scale, according to the Ministry of Health, the number of flu cases will increase locally from the end of 2024 and during the Lunar New Year 2025, but there has been no mutation compared to previous years. The common influenza virus strains today are influenza A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and influenza B. Seasonal influenza is an infectious disease with a very high potential for transmission in the community, often recording clusters of cases or epidemics. The disease is caused by influenza viruses with two main groups: A (accounting for about 75% of cases) and B (accounting for about 25%).
Influenza viruses can survive for a long time in the environment, especially in cold temperatures and humid environments. In conditions from 0 to 4 degrees Celsius, the virus can survive for several weeks; at temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius, the virus can survive for several years. Initial symptoms of influenza often include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and the patient can recover in 2-7 days. These symptoms are easily confused with the common cold, causing people to be subjective, leading to late detection and treatment.
The disease can become severe and fatal when the virus invades organs, causing pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis and sepsis. High-risk groups such as people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, young children and people with underlying diseases (cardiovascular, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, diabetes, etc.) can contract the flu with more severe progression.
No need to stockpile medicine
Faced with the increase in flu cases, many people are tempted to buy Tamiflu to stockpile. On social media, many individuals are also selling drugs containing the active ingredient Oseltamivir as “hand-carried” imported goods, causing panic among people and leading to hoarding, leading to drug shortages.
A representative of the Drug Administration of Vietnam confirmed that Oseltamivir is a prescription drug. According to Clause 28, Article 2 of the Law on Pharmacy, prescription drugs must have a prescription when being dispensed, retailed and used. If the drug is used without a doctor's prescription, it can be dangerous to life and health. The Ministry of Health recommends that people should not panic and buy drugs to stockpile, but only buy drugs when prescribed by a doctor after a medical examination.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam also said that the wholesale price of drugs containing Oseltamivir remains the same. Individuals who take advantage of price increases for personal gain will be fined from VND50 million to VND80 million, and organizations will be fined double, according to Article 15 of Decree 87/2024/ND-CP. In addition, violating organizations and individuals will be forced to return the amount of money they have illegally earned.
To proactively supply drugs, the Drug Administration of Vietnam has issued a document requesting units to proactively supply, not to hoard goods to increase prices, and at the same time requesting medical facilities to closely monitor the epidemic situation and the demand for drugs to treat influenza. The health departments of provinces and cities are also required to strengthen inspection and supervision of drug supply and use to ensure that drugs are distributed reasonably, avoiding speculation and unreasonable price increases.
The Ministry of Health recommends that medical facilities make plans to stockpile and purchase influenza treatment drugs, especially antiviral drugs, to ensure readiness and timely supply of influenza treatment drugs, and avoid the abuse of antiviral drugs that cause drug resistance.
People at risk of getting the flu and experiencing dangerous complications include young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying diseases such as diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, etc. Doctor Nguyen Tuan Hai (Safpo/Potec Vaccination System) recommends that people should get vaccinated against seasonal flu to prevent serious complications.
The Ministry of Health recommends that people take preventive measures such as getting vaccinated against seasonal flu, washing hands regularly, covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wearing masks when going out, especially in crowded places. When experiencing flu symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, headache, fatigue, people should not self-test or buy medicine to treat at home, but should go to a medical facility for timely advice and treatment.
In particular, the Ministry of Health emphasized that people should not panic and should only buy medicine when prescribed by a doctor, and actively take preventive measures and get vaccinated against seasonal flu to protect their health during this epidemic season.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/khong-qua-hoang-mang-voi-dich-cum-mua-d246145.html
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