Previously, on May 25, 2026, the Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 16/2026/TT-BYT regulating the implementation of a program to provide free medication to medical examination and treatment facilities for patient treatment. This document aims to ensure that the provision of free medication is carried out in an open, transparent, safe, and effective manner. At the same time, treatment prescriptions must be professionally sound and fully focused on protecting the legitimate rights of patients.
According to the guidelines, the free medication support program will be implemented based on a written agreement signed between pharmaceutical businesses and medical examination and treatment facilities. However, the Circular stipulates that the support process must ensure that no fees are charged to the public and absolutely no binding commercial conditions are attached to patients. In particular, the donated medication must not influence the doctor's choice of treatment methods, ensuring that medication prescriptions are always rational, safe, and highly effective.
To introduce free medication, the Ministry of Health has set very strict professional standards. Medications included in the program must be legally available in the Vietnamese market. When doctors prescribe medication, the prescription must strictly adhere to the Ministry of Health's approved guidelines for use, or comply with diagnostic and treatment guidelines and related professional documents. Furthermore, healthcare facilities are only permitted to implement the program if their scope of professional practice aligns with the intended use of that medication.
One of the key innovations of Circular No. 16/2026/TT-BYT is the regulation that the Health Insurance Fund will not reimburse the amount of free-of-charge supportive medicines used for patients with health insurance cards. This regulation was issued to ensure proper management of the nature of donated and free-of-charge medicines, to thoroughly prevent duplicate payments, thereby ensuring transparency in medicine use and optimizing the management of the health insurance fund.
To realize the goal of fairness, the Circular clearly stipulates the responsibilities of hospitals and medical facilities in fully disclosing information about the program and proactively issuing internal procedures. Doctors and medical staff are obligated to thoroughly advise patients on treatment protocols, effectiveness, potential risks or side effects, as well as any additional costs beyond the subsidized medication.
From the patient's perspective, participation in the program is entirely voluntary. Patients must voluntarily register, sign the Voluntary Registration Form, and are responsible for strictly adhering to the regulations regarding receiving and using medication. Notably, if medication needs to be discontinued or the patient no longer participates in the program, the patient or their family is responsible for immediately notifying the treating physician and returning all unused medication that has been dispensed.
For free medication support programs approved by the Minister of Health before the effective date of Circular 16/2026/TT-BYT and still valid, the new document clarifies that they may continue to be implemented until the end of the approved period to ensure that patients' treatment is not interrupted. However, these programs must immediately apply the new regulations related to medication management and use, reporting, record keeping, and implementation responsibilities.
Circular No. 16/2026/TT-BYT will officially take effect from July 10, 2026, completely replacing Circular No. 31/2018/TT-BYT dated October 30, 2018.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/trien-khai-chuong-trinh-ho-tro-thuoc-mien-phi-bao-dam-cong-khai-minh-bach-va-quyen-loi-cua-nguoi-benh-1160523.html
