Vietnam's Marine Biodiversity Seen as Future Pharma Resource: Health Ministry
Vietnam's marine biodiversity will become a potential source of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry in the future, the Ministry of Health evaluated.
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen announced the health ministry’s evaluation during the scientific workshop on the potential development of Vietnam's marine medicinal resources in Phu Yen province on August 16.
At the event, Mr. Tuyen noted that the Vietnamese Party and State place significant importance on developing medicinal resources, including marine-based ones, recognizing their role in improving public health and contributing to socioeconomic development.
According to the Ministry of Health, recent years have seen numerous scientific studies exploring the benefits of hundreds of marine medicinal resources in Vietnam. Between 2015 and 2020, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology conducted a project on marine medicinal potential in the Central Region, collecting 303 marine organism samples. The project identified 77 compounds from sponges, corals, microalgae, mollusks, and microorganisms, and it continues from 2021 to 2024.
In addition to research, some of these marine medicinal resources have been commercialized into products.
In conclusion, Mr. Tuyen called for localities and relevant ministries to contribute to creating specific policies for the development of marine medicinal resources across different regions of the country. He emphasized prioritizing investment and development of high-value marine medicinal resources and called for coordinated efforts to establish policies for the conservation and protection of marine genetic resources.
Coastal localities should plan specific areas for marine medicinal herb farming and develop a traceability system, while promoting the integration of traditional and modern medicine to utilize valuable marine resources, and ensuring strict regulation and support for high-quality product development, he added.