Prescription drugs are no longer "easy to buy".

From May 15, 2026, Government Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP (ND90) stipulating administrative penalties for violations in the health sector came into effect. The regulation is expected to contribute to rectifying the situation of indiscriminate drug sales, limiting drug abuse, especially antibiotics, and raising public awareness of safe and rational drug use. Immediately after ND90 came into effect, the Thanh Hoa Department of Health issued a directive to medical facilities, pharmaceutical businesses, and related units to strictly implement the new regulations, while also strengthening communication to help people understand their rights and responsibilities in using drugs safely.

For prescription medications, people must present a doctor's prescription before purchasing them.

Changes from pharmacies to the general public.

For many years, purchasing antibiotics and many other medications at pharmacies has been quite easy. People can buy medication simply by describing their symptoms, without a doctor's prescription. This habit not only increases the risk of misuse but is also one of the causes of the increasingly serious problem of antibiotic resistance.

According to Decree 90, individuals selling prescription drugs without a prescription can be fined from 10 to 20 million VND; organizations violating the regulation will be fined double that amount. In response to the new regulation, many pharmaceutical businesses in Thanh Hoa province have quickly adjusted their operations to be more stringent.

Pharmacist Yen Thi Thanh Thuong, from Phong Thuy Pharmacy in Hac Thanh Ward, said: “The pharmacy strictly adheres to government regulations and provides clear advice to customers on the use of prescription drugs, especially antibiotics, specialized medications, and other prescription drugs.”

Observations at many pharmacies show that most establishments have displayed signs stating "Prescription drugs are only sold with a doctor's prescription," and have set aside separate areas for prescription and over-the-counter drugs for the convenience of the public. In addition, drug counseling services have been strengthened to reduce self-medication or the misuse of antibiotics.

Pharmacist Do Mai Chi, CEO of Long Hien Pharmacy System, said: “The pharmacy is strengthening direct communication with customers, clearly separating prescription and over-the-counter medications, helping people easily access the right medication they need and understand the new regulations.”

As someone who frequently requires treatment for cardiovascular disease, Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghi from Ham Rong ward said he completely agrees with the new regulation. According to him, using medication only as prescribed by a doctor helps patients feel more secure about the effectiveness of treatment and reduces the risks associated with using medication incorrectly.

However, according to feedback from pharmacies, in the initial period of implementation, there were still many cases of people coming to buy medicine without a prescription. The establishments had to explain and guide people to go to a medical facility for examination and obtain a valid prescription before returning to buy medicine.

Pharmacist Pham Xuan Nam, Director of Tot Tot Medical Center Investment Joint Stock Company, said: "Initial implementation of the new regulations has encountered many difficulties due to the fact that people's drug purchasing habits have not changed immediately. However, the company recognizes this as a necessary regulation to ensure patient safety and is implementing it in accordance with the regulations."

Managing prescription medications using digital data and healthcare infrastructure.

According to Mr. Le Anh Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, controlling the sale of prescription drugs should be viewed as a matter of healthcare system management and public health protection, not simply a matter of penalizing pharmacies.

In reality, simply increasing inspections and handling violations while people still have difficulty accessing medical services, the electronic prescription system is not synchronized, and medical data is not interconnected, makes it very difficult to completely control the situation of buying medicine without a prescription.

Accordingly, the healthcare sector has identified the top priority as completing the digital infrastructure and electronic prescription system throughout the entire sector. This is considered the fundamental solution for effectively managing prescription drugs. When people can easily access medical services and receive legal prescriptions quickly and conveniently, the need for self-medication will gradually decrease in a sustainable manner.

In addition, the health sector will continue to promote awareness campaigns to build a culture of safe drug use in the community. Currently, many people still maintain the habit of self-medicating, using drugs based on word-of-mouth recommendations, increasing dosages on their own, or combining multiple drugs without professional guidance. These are potential risks that directly affect people's health.

Another crucial solution is to enhance management through data and technology instead of manual methods. When healthcare data systems are interconnected and synchronized, regulatory agencies can monitor drug sales in real time, detect cases of prescription drug sales without prescription data, identify risks of drug abuse, or abnormalities in antibiotic consumption.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Health Le Anh Hieu, inspection, examination, and handling of violations remain necessary solutions, but they must be implemented according to a suitable roadmap. The ultimate goal is not to impose more penalties, but to build an environment for safe, civilized, and responsible use of medicines for public health.

In the long term, prescription drug management will gradually shift from a manual inspection model to a smart, data-driven management system that is interconnected across the entire healthcare system and monitors in real time. This is considered an inevitable trend to ensure people's right to reasonable access to medicine, improve the efficiency of state management, and contribute to building a modern, transparent, and people-centered healthcare system.

Text and photos: Kim Dung

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thuoc-ke-don-khong-con-de-mua-289734.htm