Proposal to sell prescription drugs online - digitizing prescription drug sales

In the context of digital transformation taking place strongly in the healthcare industry, the implementation of electronic prescriptions and digital signatures at medical examination and treatment facilities is not only an inevitable trend but also an urgent requirement to improve management efficiency, ensure safety and convenience for people.

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One of the most specific and practical applications of this digital transformation process is the implementation of online drug purchasing through digital platforms with electronic authentication.

At a recent workshop on digital platforms, Ms. Tran Thi Nhi Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee for People's Aspirations and Supervision and former Director of the Hanoi Department of Health, stated that integrating the function of purchasing medicine via VNeID is an important step in the digitalization roadmap of the pharmaceutical industry. However, the implementation is currently only applicable to non-prescription drugs.

Meanwhile, the reality shows that more than 80% of the pharmaceutical market in Vietnam is prescription drugs. Therefore, Ms. Ha emphasized the need to soon complete the legal corridor to expand the scope of application, allowing people to access and purchase prescription drugs through digital platforms legally, safely and effectively.

One of the important factors is to complete the regulations on electronic prescriptions. Although Circular 04/2022 of the Ministry of Health has set out a roadmap for implementation, in reality, there are still many difficulties due to the lack of identification codes and accounts for doctors, medical facilities as well as patients. Resolving these problems will create a solid legal basis, promoting the sale of prescription drugs online legally and effectively.

Ms. Ha also said that unifying the health data system between localities is a prerequisite in the process of implementing electronic health books and digital health platforms. When there is a nationwide synchronized database, people's health management will become more effective, while improving the quality of health services.

Integrating electronic prescriptions into electronic health records and connecting with e-commerce platforms will open up a new direction in providing modern, secure and convenient medical services. Ms. Ha called on the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to soon complete the legal framework to synchronize the process, meeting the increasing medical needs in modern society.

In particular, allowing the sale of prescription drugs online will bring many benefits to chronic patients and the elderly, groups of people who often reuse old prescriptions. If allowed to sell drugs online with electronic prescription authentication, patients will save time, effort and reduce the risk of infection during the trip to the pharmacy.

In addition, digitizing prescription drug sales will increase transparency and control over the pharmaceutical market. Transactions via digital platforms, authenticated by VNeID and prescription tracing will help eliminate the risk of counterfeit drugs and drugs of unknown origin circulating on the market.

This model not only helps Vietnam catch up with global trends but also meets modern technological standards. Many countries such as the US, Japan, South Korea and Singapore have successfully applied this form with strict monitoring systems.

According to Ms. Nguyen Do Quyen, Deputy General Director of FPT Retail, Long Chau Pharmacy is currently one of the pioneers integrating the VNeID system, aiming to build a more transparent and safer drug purchasing platform for people.

Although more than 100,000 customers have used the VNeID connection service to buy medicine, this is currently only applied to non-prescription drugs according to the provisions of the revised Pharmacy Law.

She also emphasized the role of strict management in online drug sales. E-commerce platforms and drug sales applications must ensure standards of safety, information security, and have full practice licenses.

“We are committed to transparency in every process, from protecting personal information to ensuring drug quality,” Ms. Quyen shared. She also proposed applying blockchain technology to trace transaction history, ensuring transparency and imperviousness to interference.

Regarding prescription drugs, Ms. Quyen emphasized that digitalizing prescription drugs is an important step, meeting the increasing needs of people in accessing treatment drugs quickly, safely and conveniently.

Besides promoting electronic prescriptions, Ms. Nguyen Do Quyen also emphasized the importance of transparency in pharmaceutical distribution and retail activities.

In the context of a pharmaceutical market with mixed gold and copper, people are at high risk of buying fake or poor quality drugs from unqualified establishments. Ms. Quyen proposed that state management agencies should consider granting electronic identification to pharmacies that meet GPP (Good Pharmacy Practice) standards, with a team of pharmacists with legal practice licenses. This form can be simply understood as "granting green marks" to reputable pharmacies.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/de-xuat-ban-thuoc-ke-don-online---so-hoa-hoat-dong-ban-thuoc-ke-don-d272736.html