Vietnam Official Identifies 4 Challenges in Regulating Online Drug Sales

Le Thien Quynh Nhu, chief of office at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, pointed out four key difficulties in monitoring and managing drug sales and advertising on social media platforms in Vietnam during a press conference on June 27.

While highlighting the sale of drugs via social media or livestreaming constitutes a legal violation, she said that the four challenges are (i) identifying violators, (ii) fake business addresses, (iii) evidence preservation, and (iv) false advertising.

In response, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has established a special task force to monitor and control advertising in the healthcare sector on digital platforms, she announced, adding that the department will enhance communication efforts on the management of drug sales and the consequences of unauthorized drug use and online purchases.

Additionally, the department will recommend that relevant agencies develop a coordinated interagency mechanism to regulate drug sales on social media platforms, especially for unlicensed individuals and organizations. (Suc Khoe Doi Song)