Vietnam to Change Provisions on Purchasing Brand-name Drugs to Reduce Prices

The Government Office has just announced the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on the bidding of drugs in public health facilities in an attempt to lower medicine prices, local media reported. Accordingly, Mr. Dam has asked the Ministry of Health to coordinate with Vietnam Social Insurance to amend and supplement the provisions on the purchase of the original brand-name drugs that are out of copyrights. The Vietnam Social Insurance works with the Ministry of Health on the use of the generic and generic drugs of Group 1. Previously, Vietnam established of a national centralized drug procurement center under the Ministry of Health. The national centralized drug procurement bidding is a decisive solution to improving the effectiveness of using health insurance funds for medical check-ups and treatment, enhancing the fund balancing capability and ensuring the rights for patients with health insurance. (cafef.vn Mar 15, hanoimoi.com.vn Mar 16)