Tightly manage pharmacies to prevent counterfeit and smuggled drugs

Recently, the Ministry of Health has proposed a number of new regulations related to the responsibilities of establishments organizing pharmacy chains.

Specifically, in case of a change in the person in charge of pharmaceutical expertise of a pharmacy in the chain, if this is not a transfer of the person in charge of expertise, the pharmacy needs to carry out procedures to adjust the Certificate of eligibility for pharmaceutical business according to current regulations.

The Ministry of Health not only manages drug trading activities but also focuses on the quality of drugs circulating on the market.

This Circular applies to Vietnamese agencies, organizations, individuals, Vietnamese people residing abroad, as well as foreign organizations and individuals participating in pharmaceutical activities in Vietnam, but not subject to the issuance of a Certificate of eligibility for pharmaceutical business.

The draft Circular clearly states that those responsible for pharmaceutical expertise at drug retail establishments and clinical pharmacy at medical examination and treatment establishments, including foreigners and Vietnamese residing abroad, must be recognized as proficient in Vietnamese. In case they do not know Vietnamese fluently, they must register the language used and must have an interpreter who meets the requirements as prescribed.

In addition, on the Pharmacy Practice Certificate of foreigners or Vietnamese people residing abroad, if they do not know Vietnamese fluently, there will be a note "requires an interpreter during practice".

The application for a Certificate of Eligibility for Pharmaceutical Business must include a contract with a qualified interpreter.

Regarding language requirements for pharmacy practice, practitioners can register to use one of the following languages: English, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

If the language used during training is Vietnamese or one of the above languages, the practitioner will not need to re-test language proficiency when issuing a practice certificate.

In addition to the obligations prescribed in the Law on Pharmacy, the pharmacy chain organizer also has the following responsibilities: within 15 days from the date of change in the number of pharmacies in the chain, the pharmacy chain organizer must notify in writing, with an electronic file attached or an online update, to the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health of the province or city where the pharmacy's business location has changed.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for updating the list of pharmacies in the chain on the Ministry of Health's electronic information portal within 15 days of receiving the notice.

In case the pharmacy chain organization rotates the person in charge of pharmaceutical expertise between pharmacies in the chain, within 15 days, the establishment must notify in writing the Department of Health of the province or city where the pharmacy has the change. The Department of Health is then responsible for updating information about the person in charge of pharmaceutical expertise on the Department of Health's website.

If the change is not a transfer but a change of professional manager, the pharmacy needs to carry out procedures to adjust the Certificate of Eligibility for Pharmaceutical Business at the Department of Health of the province or city according to current regulations.

It is known that to open and operate a legal pharmacy, individuals or organizations must comply with the business licensing process prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

Pharmacies must have a person in charge of professional expertise who is a university pharmacist and has a pharmacy practice certificate. In particular, this requirement ensures that pharmacy staff have sufficient knowledge of pharmaceuticals, thereby ensuring accurate and safe drug consultation and provision for users.

The Ministry of Health not only manages the drug business but also focuses on the quality of drugs circulating on the market. This agency inspects and monitors drug quality, ensuring that drugs sold in pharmacies have clear origins, have been licensed and do not violate quality standards.

The Ministry of Health also implements periodic and surprise inspection programs to detect and handle violations of drug quality.

Drugs of poor quality or unknown origin will be recalled and discontinued, and violators will be strictly punished according to the law.

In order to enhance the effectiveness of management, the Ministry of Health has implemented a number of important reforms. One of the outstanding reforms is the application of information technology in pharmacy management, helping to enhance the ability to monitor and control drug quality, as well as manage drug business records easily and accurately.

In addition, the Ministry of Health also organizes regular training courses for pharmacists and pharmacy staff. These training programs not only focus on pharmacological knowledge but also on communication skills and customer consultation, especially on issues related to drug side effects, drug interactions and safe drug use.

In management, the Ministry of Health also pays special attention to the issue of smuggled and counterfeit drugs, products that can endanger the health of consumers.

The Ministry of Health cooperates with relevant agencies such as the Market Management Department and the Police to detect and strictly handle establishments that produce and trade fake drugs or drugs of unknown origin. This helps protect people's rights and increase confidence in the national health system.

With the strong development of the pharmaceutical industry and the increasing demand for medicines, pharmacy management will still face many challenges. However, with synchronous measures such as administrative reform, application of technology, improvement of professional qualifications and tightening of inspection and supervision, the Ministry of Health will continue to improve and perfect pharmacy management in the future.

The current pharmacy management work of the Ministry of Health plays an extremely important role in protecting public health and improving the quality of medical services.

Strictly implementing regulations, controlling drug quality and training pharmacists will help people access safe and effective drugs, while limiting the trade in counterfeit drugs and drugs of unknown origin.

Recently, the Ministry of Health has proposed a number of new regulations related to the responsibilities of establishments organizing pharmacy chains.

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