Tracing batches of drugs of unknown origin at pharmacies in Hanoi

(Chinhphu.vn) - The Drug Administration of Vietnam, Ministry of Health requested the Department of Health of provinces and cities to urgently search for 7 batches of drugs of unknown origin, and at the same time, warn about the circulation of fake drugs and drugs of unknown origin.

Diamicron ® MR 60mg (Gliklazid) medicine, batch number: 23F603, expiry date: 4/2026

Specifically, the Drug Administration of Vietnam said that it had just discovered 7 drug samples at Duc Anh Pharmacy, a subsidiary of Duc Anh Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Company Limited in Hanoi, without information on the Circulation Registration Certificate number and Import License number, information on the drug manufacturing facility, drug importing facility...

The Department has sent documents to the Department of Health of provinces and centrally-run cities to notify about counterfeit drugs, drugs of unknown origin and handle violations.

Previously, the Drug Administration received information from the Hanoi Center for Drug, Cosmetic and Food Testing showing that, after testing, it was discovered that the drug Diamicron ® MR 60mg (Gliklazid), batch number 23F603, expiry date April 2026, did not meet the quality requirements for Gliclazid quantitative indicators according to the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia V.

Test results showed that the measured Gliclazide content was only 42.5mg/tablet (equivalent to 70.83% of the content stated on the label).

In addition to the above Diamicron ® MR 60mg sample, the authorities discovered 6 other drug samples at Duc Anh Pharmacy under Duc Anh Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Company Limited, located at 8 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Lang Thuong, Dong Da District, Hanoi, all of which did not have information on the Circulation Registration Certificate number and/or Import License number; information on the drug manufacturing facility and drug importing facility.

These are the drugs: Oseltamivir, batch number: M1164B01, manufacturing date: 3/2021, expiry date: 3/2023; Crestor 20mg (Rosuvastatin), batch number: A23237030, expiry date: 4/2026; Janumet 50/1000mg (Sitagliptin/Metformin), batch number: 24497505A, expiry date: 7/2026; Plavix (Klopidogrel), batch number: ELB04027, expiry date: 5/2027; NEXIUM® 40mg Enterik Kapli Pellet Tablet (Esomeprazole), batch number: 23H420, expiry date: 9/2027; Drug: Crestor 10mg (Rosuvastatin), batch number: A24236004, expiry date: 7/2027.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam requests the Hanoi Department of Health to urgently report to Steering Committee 389 and coordinate with the police, market management, local Steering Committee 389 and relevant authorities to conduct inspections and checks on the compliance with pharmaceutical laws of Duc Anh Pharmacy.

At the same time, trace the origin of 7 product batches without information on the circulation registration license number, import license number, manufacturing facility, and importing facility above; strictly handle violating facilities according to regulations; report the results of inspection, examination, and handling to the Department of Drug Administration before June 2, 2025.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam also requested the Department of Health of provinces and centrally-run cities to communicate and inform drug trading and using establishments and people not to buy/sell or use these 7 batches of products; only buy and sell drugs at legal drug trading establishments; do not buy/sell drugs of unknown origin; promptly report any suspicious signs of production and trading of counterfeit drugs or drugs of unknown origin to health agencies and relevant competent agencies.

On May 29, the Drug Administration of Vietnam also discovered counterfeit medicine Theophylline Extended Release Tablets 200mg (Theophylin 200mg), batch number 21127, production date February 26, 2022, expiration date February 26, 2026; place of manufacture Pharmacy Laboratories Plus; the drug sample did not have information about the circulation registration license number and/or import license number, and the importing facility on the label. This is a medicine for treating asthma.

The above drug sample was taken by the Hanoi Center for Drug, Cosmetic and Food Testing at An An Pharmacy, address: No. 153, Group 14, Kien Hung Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi; it did not meet the quality requirements for Theophylline quantification (only 6.3% compared to the content stated on the label).

Hien Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/truy-tim-cac-lo-thuoc-khong-co-nguon-goc-tai-nha-thuoc-o-ha-noi-102250530173127501.htm