Vietnam MoH Revokes Controversial Document on Drug Use for Virus Treatment

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son revoked Document 5944 on the use of traditional medicines for COVID-19 treatment on July 26, only two days after issuance, local media reported. The document sparked a storm of public protest on social and local media because it named certain producers for 26 traditional health products. The local Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper pointed out that similar products can be provided by many other manufacturers, but the health ministry specified only the five providers. Five days before the issuance of the document, the selling prices of one of the products recommended in the document were hiked to VND1 million ($43.1) per package from the previous prices of VND100,000-VND250,000. (Tuoi Tre, Hanoi Moi, Lao Dong, Bao Dan Toc, Nong Nghiep)