The Ministry of Health continues to accelerate reforms, improve regulations, simplify administrative procedures, and promote digital transformation, aiming to build a modern, sustainable pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam that better meets the public’s healthcare needs.
The pharmaceutical business dialogue conference has become a key annual event, highly anticipated by businesses, organizations, and associations within the industry. In 2024, following the Ministry of Health’s directive, the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Group – CTCP will continue to collaborate with the Drug Administration Department to organize the third pharmaceutical business dialogue conference on December 18, 2024, in Quang Ninh. The conference will be chaired by Deputy Minister of Health, Do Xuan Tuyen, and will feature the active participation of numerous pharmaceutical companies, with more than 500 remote locations joining the event online.
According to Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen, the efforts of the Ministry of Health in recent times have been supported and highly appreciated by the pharmaceutical business community. However, there are still some issues in administrative procedure reforms, as well as challenges and obstacles for pharmaceutical businesses in implementing legal documents, due to the lack of timely amendments and updates to align with current practical situations.
“Therefore, for the past three years, the Ministry of Health has organized Dialogues with pharmaceutical businesses to allow regulatory authorities to directly listen to the concerns, feedback, suggestions, and recommendations of pharmaceutical companies. This enables the Ministry to recognize and incorporate appropriate recommendations to further improve the regulatory framework, streamline administrative procedures, enhance the effectiveness of state management, and simultaneously support overcoming challenges, creating conditions to foster business development, with the goal of improving the quality of medicines, ensuring reasonable prices, and meeting the healthcare needs of the people,” said Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen.
Efforts to address business recommendations
At the conference, Mr. Le Viet Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Drug Administration, reported that in 2023, the Department had consolidated 114 feedbacks across various areas: drug registration, drug price management, bidding for drugs, pharmaceutical business, and drug quality management. Of these, 63 feedbacks were accepted and addressed; the remaining 51 included feedbacks that were not accepted and those requiring revisions and additions in subordinate legal documents. These are under careful consideration to ensure they align with both the practical situation in Vietnam and international experience.
In 2024, the Department of Drug Administration received 284 recommendations in the following areas: (i) Drug registration: 155; (ii) Drug pricing and bidding: 50; (iii) Drug business management: 29; (iv) Quality control: 50. The Department will continue to receive, compile, review, and present the feedback and suggestions from businesses to the Ministry of Health leadership.
Mr. Le Viet Dung stated: “In 2024, the Ministry of Health announced 17 batches of drug registration validity extensions until December 31, 2024, with a total of 13,900 drugs (10,702 domestic, 2,946 foreign drugs, 252 vaccines, and biological products) under Resolution 80/2023/QH15 of the National Assembly. Additionally, 12,333 drugs were registered and renewed in accordance with the 2016 Pharmaceutical Law, nearly equivalent to the total number of drugs registered and renewed in the past five years. We consistently maintain over 23,000 drugs with valid registration certificates, ensuring a continuous drug supply. We also held 34 advisory council meetings to expedite the approval process.”
The 2024 Pharmaceutical Business Dialogue Conference was held amid the recent passage of the amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law by the National Assembly on November 21, 2024. Attending businesses praised the revised law as a significant step in resolving many challenges in pharmaceutical industry management, contributing to the promotion of business operations. The businesses expressed a desire for the Ministry of Health, the Department of Drug Administration, and other relevant authorities to continue addressing existing issues to further enhance business operations, aiming to achieve the national strategic goal of developing Vietnam’s pharmaceutical sector by 2030, with a vision for 2045.
Sustainable growth: From policy reforms to digital transformation
At the conference, Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen stated, “Digital transformation is a core factor that will help Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry enhance its competitiveness and better meet the healthcare needs of the public. We are accelerating reforms and creating a favorable environment for businesses to innovate and develop sustainably.”
Mr. Hoang Viet Anh, Chairman of FPT Digital, FPT Corporation, delivered a speech with the message: “Digital transformation is not just about technology; it is a shift in management thinking. The application of AI and data analytics helps pharmaceutical companies make faster decisions, optimize supply chains, enhance production capacity, and personalize customer services, opening up opportunities for sustainable growth in the digital ecosystem.”
The Chairman shared valuable experiences gained from successfully implementing digital transformation projects in the pharmaceutical sector. Among these, leadership determination and guidance were emphasized as key factors. Leaders not only set the strategic direction but also actively engage in the implementation process, inspiring and building trust across the entire team. Furthermore, people are at the core of digital transformation. Training, skill development, and equipping employees with a digital mindset are fundamental steps to help them master technology and adapt to change.
With the determination of regulatory bodies and the efforts of businesses, the pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam is gradually building a smart ecosystem, fully integrating digital technology. This not only enhances competitiveness but also helps better meet the healthcare needs of the population in the new era.
