The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health stated that in recent times, many solutions have been implemented, such as improving the physical facilities of health stations, increasing the number of doctors and rotating doctors to health stations, and remote medical examination and treatment between health stations and higher levels. However, health stations still cannot attract patients due to a lack of essential medicines, especially medicines for chronic diseases.
Circular 20/2022 of the Ministry of Health has met 295 out of 303 drugs required by health stations in Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, the Department of Health proposed that the Ministry of Health allow Ho Chi Minh City to pilot the expansion of the remaining 8 drugs (drugs for treating asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and mental health care) for use at health stations and covered by health insurance.
Medical examination and treatment at Ward 11 Medical Station, Tan Binh District
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health proposed to conduct centralized bidding at the local level for the supplementary drug list, including 303 drugs, instead of having each district and county health center implement it individually. The Department of Health analyzed that, according to the provisions of Circular 15/2019 of the Ministry of Health, based on the actual situation in the locality, the Chairman of the Provincial and City People's Committee decides to supplement the list of centrally bidded drugs at the local level for items not included in the list (issued under this Circular) for use at local medical facilities based on the proposal of the Director of the Provincial and City Department of Health (Clause 3, Article 50 of Circular 15/2019).
However, when consulting with departments and branches, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice requested that the provisions of Circular 15/2020 of the Ministry of Health (issuing the list of drugs for bidding, the list of drugs for centralized bidding, the list of drugs for which price negotiation is applied) must be strictly complied with. Accordingly, Clause 4, Article 2 of Circular 15/2020 stipulates that the list of drugs for centralized bidding at the local level must meet 5 conditions.
Firstly, the drug belongs to the list of drugs for bidding and is not on the list of drugs for centralized bidding at the national level, the list of drugs that are subject to price negotiation. Secondly, the drug belongs to the list of essential drugs issued by the Ministry of Health. Thirdly, the drug has 3 or more registration certificates for circulation in Vietnam according to the dosage form and manufacturer. Fourthly, the drug has a large proportion of use in terms of value or quantity at provincial and municipal medical facilities. Fifthly, the drug is used in many local treatment facilities and lines.
In response to these 5 conditions, the Ministry of Health has issued a list of drugs for centralized bidding at the local level, including 129 drugs (not including 303 drugs proposed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to be added). Thus, between Clause 3, Article 50 of Circular 15/2019 and Clause 4, Article 2 of Circular 15/2020 of the Ministry of Health, the list of drugs for centralized bidding at the local level is different. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health proposed to apply Clause 3, Article 50 of Circular 15/2019, which will help improve the situation of drug shortage at health stations, and also unify drug prices between district and county health centers in the same area. All of this is to serve primary health care better and better, meeting the wishes of the majority of people living in Ho Chi Minh City.
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