Ensure adequate medicine for medical situations affected by storms, floods, and epidemics

In a document sent to the Department of Health of provinces and cities and drug manufacturing and importing establishments regarding ensuring adequate supply of drugs during the flood season, the Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health said that it will prioritize and consider handling according to regulations import orders of drugs without circulation registration certificates to meet urgent needs in disease prevention and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and catastrophes.

Accordingly, to ensure adequate supply of drugs for disease prevention and control that may arise during the storm and flood season such as pink eye, dengue fever, diarrhea, and skin diseases, the Drug Administration of Vietnam requests the Department of Health of provinces and cities to urgently direct drug production, trading, and import establishments located in the area to have plans to reserve and provide adequate and timely drugs for treatment needs, especially ensuring the number of drugs for disease prevention and control according to the diagnosis and treatment guidelines and other guidelines of the Ministry of Health; to avoid drug shortages and fluctuations in drug prices.

Local medical facilities proactively make a list of essential medicines for people, promptly plan, order and purchase additional medicines, and reserve them to ensure there are enough medicines to serve medical situations affected by storms, floods, and epidemics.

In addition, the Department of Health promptly reports to the Ministry of Health (Department of Drug Administration, Department of Planning and Finance) in case of a risk of shortage of drugs to serve the prevention and treatment of diseases that may arise after floods in the area.

For establishments producing, trading and importing drugs, the Drug Administration requires that they prepare a source of quality drugs at reasonable prices to prioritize adequate and timely supply for the needs of disease prevention and control.

The Department of Drug Administration stated that in case of difficulties or problems with supply sources, units should report to the Department of Drug Business Management (phone number: 0243.8461525) for guidance and consideration of resolution.