Counterfeit drugs, fake functional foods: The fear of "broken" trust

Recently, the Pharmacity Pharmacy system has recalled all products related to Herbitech Company (involved in the case of producing fake functional foods for children) and affiliated companies in the pharmacy system, after receiving information and recommendations from the authorities.

In addition, Pharmacity has proactively suspended business and recalled products manufactured by Herbitech Company, including PMC Hoat Huyet, PMC Ginkgo Biloba, PMC Joint Care, PMC Liver Support (registered, announced and distributed by Hoang Giang Saigon Pharmaceutical Company Limited).

Notice of recall of all products related to Herbitech Company of Pharmacity (Photo: Pharmacy).

Although the results of the independent inspection reports recorded the quality of all 4 products mentioned above meeting the standards according to the published records licensed by the Department of Food Safety ( Ministry of Health ), and there was no official conclusion from the competent authority, the temporary suspension of business was still proactively implemented by Pharmacity.

This unit also said that it will take full responsibility for recalling and refunding 100% to all customers who have purchased products related to Herbitech Company.

Difficulties in authenticating drug quality inspection documents

Talking to Dan Tri reporter, Pharmacity representative shared that incidents related to counterfeit and fake goods have caused many difficulties and challenges for businesses, especially in maintaining customer trust - which is an important foundation for sustainable development.

At the same time, recent events have also negatively affected the pharmacy's business operations and brand image.

As a retail distributor, Pharmacity will face more difficulties in comprehensively inspecting product quality from the beginning, compared to manufacturing facilities or specialized agencies.

"The process of evaluating suppliers' capacity and selecting products for Pharmacity Pharmacy is very strict. We also trust that suppliers and manufacturers fully meet the valid records and documents to ensure that the goods delivered to customers are genuine, safe and legal.

However, in the context of increasingly complex counterfeit and fake goods cases, Pharmacity faces many difficulties in authenticating each quality inspection certificate and information declared according to the product acceptance registration certificate received from the supplier.

We look forward to closer and more drastic coordination from the authorities to improve the effectiveness of inspection and supervision.

In addition, in order to protect the interests of consumers, Pharmacity has invested heavily in strengthening independent testing of products in the system by reputable state-licensed testing units, to authenticate product quality before reaching customers," said Pharmacity.

People come to buy medicine at Pharmacity (Photo: Pharmacy).

The representative of the above pharmacy chain affirmed that, in addition to strictly controlling the input, during the distribution process, the unit always proactively conducts periodic inspections to promptly remove and stop selling products that show signs of not being guaranteed. At the same time, the unit applies traceability technology to ensure that the products reaching consumers are safe and genuine.

"As a retail distributor in this very risky field, we hope that the authorities will strengthen post-licensing inspections so that people can confidently choose products with full certification from management units.

On the business side, good post-inspection also helps businesses strengthen customer confidence in our products," a representative of Pharmacity Pharmacy suggested.

What to do to keep people from losing trust?

Pharmaceutical companies want authorities to strengthen post-licensing inspections so that people can feel secure when buying drugs (Photo: LC).

A representative of the FPT Long Chau pharmacy chain shared that the recent series of incidents of discovering fake dietary supplement manufacturing facilities has caused difficulties, challenges, and potential risks for the healthcare system and businesses, as people are afraid to access health care and protection products, including essential products or those that have been proven effective and safe.

This leads to a tendency to delay treatment, stop taking medication on their own, or not seek advice from a reputable medical facility or pharmacy. Delays in disease detection and treatment put many people at risk of developing more serious health conditions.

In the context of consumers being confused and losing trust due to low-quality drugs and functional foods being discovered on the market, FPT Long Chau has proactively clarified the origin of drug products through invoices, websites and pharmacy applications. This unit also integrated the feature of looking up the registration certificate of functional food products throughout the system.

For pharmaceutical products, users can track the place of manufacture and drug registration number on the website and application "Long Chau Pharmacy" and receive instructions on how to look up the registration number directly on the Online Public Service Portal of the Department of Drug Administration (https://dichvucong.dav.gov.vn/congbothuoc).

For functional foods, the system displays the product registration number and the product declaration registration receipt issued by the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) - a mandatory requirement under Decree 15.

Instructions for tracing the origin of drugs on Long Chau's sales invoices (Photo: LC).

In addition, important information such as ingredients, uses, usage recommendations, place of manufacture and advertising content confirmation number (if any) are also provided transparently, helping consumers choose the right product," Long Chau explained.

Long Chau pharmacy chain also believes that the current situation requires urgent coordination between management agencies, businesses and the media in strengthening quality control, handling misinformation and proactively promoting and educating public health.

When people are provided with correct information and feel secure, the healthcare system as well as businesses will be able to play their role in caring for and protecting the health of the entire population effectively and sustainably.

Strengthen strict management

Some types of counterfeit drugs were seized by authorities in the seizure of 100 tons of counterfeit functional foods and medical equipment (Photo: Hanoi Police).

The Ministry of Health coordinated with Hanoi Police to verify and clarify fake functional food products.

The Department of Food Safety (Ministry of Health) said that this agency is coordinating with Hanoi Police to clarify fake functional foods in the case of the Economic Police Department (PC03) - Hanoi City Police dismantling a large-scale counterfeit goods production and trading ring, seizing about 100 tons of fake functional foods and medical equipment.

Accordingly, the subjects declared that they had established 17 companies, of which 6 companies were responsible for importing goods and 11 companies were responsible for distributing goods domestically.

Regarding the information about this fake functional food production line, the Food Safety Department is coordinating with the Economic Police Department - Hanoi City Police to provide information on products declared as health protection foods of the above companies to serve the investigation to verify and clarify the seized products.

During the process of handling by the authorities, the Food Safety Department recommends that consumers absolutely do not buy or use related products as the product images and press information have posted to avoid risks affecting health and economic losses.

The Food Safety Department will update information on the website about fake functional food products so that consumers know and do not use them.

The leader of the Food Safety Department said that in order to strengthen strict management of functional foods, the Ministry of Health is currently coordinating with relevant ministries and branches to advise the Government to issue a Decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP.

The aim of the amendment is to enhance product quality and safety, improve the effectiveness of state management to effectively protect public health.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/thuoc-gia-thuc-pham-chuc-nang-gia-noi-lo-vun-vo-niem-tin-20250517113835760.htm