A lack of proactive purchasing planning.

SGGP 21/10/2023 07:07

On the afternoon of October 20th, in response to the renewed shortage of medicines, medical supplies, and vaccines in Ho Chi Minh City and several southern provinces and cities, a reporter from SGGP newspaper interviewed representatives from several functional units of the Ministry of Health to clarify future solutions.

According to Mr. Le Thanh Cong, Deputy Director of the Planning and Finance Department, in recent times, the Government and the Ministry of Health have implemented many mechanisms and policies on administrative procedure reform, licensing, and bidding to alleviate difficulties for localities and hospitals in independently purchasing medicines and medical supplies. However, shortages of medicines and medical supplies still occur in some units and localities due to the reluctance of some contractors and businesses to supply them.

Furthermore, healthcare facilities and local authorities have not been truly proactive in implementing regulations on bidding and procurement of medicines and medical supplies due to a mentality of "fear of making mistakes, fear of responsibility, fear of inspection and auditing."

Clarifying the shortage of medication for hand, foot, and mouth disease in Ho Chi Minh City and some southern provinces and cities, Mr. Le Viet Dung, Deputy Director of the Drug Administration of Vietnam, said that the agency has licensed the import of 15,000 vials of Immunoglobulin to meet the special treatment needs of medical facilities. To date, the importing company has brought more than 8,200 vials of this medication into Vietnam to supply hospitals. It is expected that another 2,000 vials of Immunoglobulin will be imported in November, and the importing company is awaiting orders from treatment units.

Regarding Phenobarbital, there is currently one domestic manufacturer with a valid marketing authorization in Vietnam. This company has also imported the raw materials for the production of the drug but is still awaiting orders from treatment facilities.

The agency also granted import licenses for 21,000 vials of Phenobarbital, which did not have a registration certificate for circulation in Vietnam. These vials have now been supplied to several medical facilities that needed them.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam has received requests from several entities regarding the import of injectable Barbit. The Administration is currently guiding businesses in completing the necessary procedures and documentation for importing this drug.

"The reality is that there is currently no shortage of input supplies, but there are still treatment units and localities that have not been proactive in developing and implementing plans for stockpiling, purchasing, and receiving medicines in accordance with the actual situation to ensure sufficient medicines to serve professional work, examination, treatment, and care for patients," Mr. Le Viet Dung informed.

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