Ministry of Health and Sanofi strengthen cooperation to develop pharmaceutical and vaccine industry

At the same time, five areas of cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Sanofi Vietnam were proposed to promote the development of the pharmaceutical and vaccine industry.

On the afternoon of April 3, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health , Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan received Mr. Burak Pekmezci - General Director of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Company Limited.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan received Mr. Burak Pekmezci - General Director of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Achievements in progress of licensing and renewal of drug circulation registration certificates

At the meeting, sharing with Minister Dao Hong Lan, Mr. Burak Pekmezci said: In the meeting with the Prime Minister on March 2, Sanofi proposed applying a reference mechanism to speed up access to new drugs for Vietnamese people.

"We are very pleased to see that the content of the reference mechanism has been carefully studied by the Drug Administration of Vietnam and included in the draft Circular amending the drug registration circular, with a relatively high level of detail and completion, similar to the practices of countries in the region.

Although the draft Circular continues to be adjusted, we believe that with the determination of the leaders of the Ministry of Health, the Drug Administration of Vietnam, the openness to receive feedback, the reference mechanism will be effectively implemented in Vietnam," said Mr. Burak Pekmezci.

The General Director of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Co., Ltd. expressed his impression with the progress in licensing and renewing drug circulation registration certificates...

Regarding ensuring drug supply, Mr. Burak Pekmezci emphasized that Sanofi welcomes the reforms in the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Pharmacy Law and the draft Circular on drug registration, which simplifies the re-registration procedure and applies digital transformation to speed up the processing of change and addition dossiers.

Referring to the field of digital transformation in drug registration, Mr. Burak Pekmezci expressed his impression of the achievements of the Drug Administration of Vietnam, when the progress of licensing and renewing drug circulation registration certificates in the first 11 months of 2024 was equal to the last 5 years combined.

"Sanofi is a leading pharmaceutical company in digital transformation and artificial intelligence application. We are very willing to accompany the Vietnamese management agency to share our experience in applying artificial intelligence in drug registration so that digital transformation does not stop at digitization, but actually contributes to freeing up resources, utilizing AI in screening records, and supporting experts in appraising records" - Mr. Burak Pekmezci affirmed.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan and Mr. Burak Pekmezci - General Director of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Co., Ltd. and delegates attended the meeting.

5 proposed areas of cooperation

At the meeting, Sanofi representative proposed 5 areas of cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Sanofi Vietnam to promote the development of the pharmaceutical and vaccine industry.

Firstly, training to improve the appraisal capacity of experts through sharing clinical development guidelines and clinical records, thereby contributing to improving the appraisal capacity of experts.

Second, transfer of testing technology with the National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals. Sanofi is working with the National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals to develop a cooperation program that includes technology transfer of new vaccine testing methods; Sharing international experience in applying reference mechanisms, recognizing and acknowledging testing results; Training on vaccination safety. "Sanofi hopes to sign a memorandum of understanding as soon as possible, and lasting for 3 years 2025-2027" - Mr. Burak Pekmezci said.

Third, strategic cooperation with the Department of Disease Prevention to implement "Activities to support capacity building of the preventive health system in Vietnam" to strengthen preventive measures and protect health for all ages.

The scope of cooperation will include activities to support the completion of the legal system on health and prevention; activities to promote the implementation of lifelong vaccination in Vietnam; communication, education and public awareness raising activities on the importance of vaccination. "We hope to be able to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two sides in the second quarter of this year, lasting for 3 years from 2025-2027," said Mr. Burak Pekmezci.

Fourth, the support program for patients with rare diseases. Sanofi is proud of its nearly 30-year journey accompanying health management agencies, research organizations, hospitals, etc. to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment for patients with rare diseases. Through the International Humanitarian Medicines Access Program ICAP, since 1997, Sanofi has supported the diagnosis and treatment of patients with rare diseases with a budget of hundreds of billions of VND each year.

On February 29, 2024, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of understanding between the Department and four multinational pharmaceutical companies, including Sanofi, to improve the quality of management and treatment of rare diseases. Sanofi proposed to support the Department of Health Insurance in conducting research, studying new financial models, and sharing international experiences so that they can be effectively applied in Vietnam.

Fifth, the online diabetes management and training program - iSTEP-D Plus Online Program. Sanofi is coordinating with the Vietnam Endocrine - Diabetes Association to support the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health to implement this program (expected to be implemented in 2025 in 18 provinces and cities nationwide, training 3,600 medical staff at provincial and district hospitals and other medical staff in need).

At the reception, Minister Dao Hong Lan appreciated Sanofi's willingness to accompany management agencies in sharing experiences and contributing ideas to improve institutions and policies.

Minister Dao Hong Lan said that Sanofi's proposals are very much in line with the Ministry of Health's concerns. The Minister assigned relevant functional units of the Ministry and Sanofi to discuss and agree to promote early, so that the coordination is truly effective.

Giang Oanh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/bo-y-te-va-sanofi-tang-cuong-hop-tac-de-phat-trien-cong-nghiep-duoc-va-vaccine-102250404155156646.htm