Ministry of Health proposes 4 new points to solve drug shortage

According to Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen, there are 4 new points in the policies issued to resolve the shortage of drugs and medical supplies. These are:

Use one quotation instead of three as before or the highest quotation that is suitable for the financial capacity of the medical facility.

Bidding is done in urgent cases to maintain regular operations of medical facilities. That is, if the bidding is not successful, a designated contractor will be selected.

Specific regulations on epidemic emergency cases are applied to designated bidding.

Finally, there is the option to purchase additional drugs immediately up to 30% of the previously contracted volume.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said that to purchase medicine and medical equipment, two factors must be present.

Specifically, according to Mr. Tuyen, the first is to perfect the institutions, documents related to laws, decrees and documents, circulars related to procurement. The second is how to organize implementation in localities and medical facilities.

“If the system is complete but the localities and units in the organization still have problems in implementation, it will be impossible to produce enough medicine and supplies.

For example, do localities allocate funds, are construction plans and contractor selection guaranteed, have contractors been selected but are they willing to supply medicine and materials, or do they give up and not participate...", Mr. Tuyen stated.

Mr. Tuyen also said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, drug shortages occurred in some units and localities, and at certain times, not all drugs were in shortage, but only some types.

The Ministry of Health has proposed many solutions to overcome this problem. Notably, the Ministry has advised the Government and the National Assembly to resolve the shortage of drugs and medical supplies. In 2023, the National Assembly issued Resolution 80 on the Use of Drug Registration Certificates Expired by December 31, 2024. This content is also included in the revised Law on Pharmacy, expected to be passed at the National Assembly session next October.

The Ministry of Health has also consulted and submitted to the National Assembly for approval the revised Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, including two contents related to medical equipment and procurement and bidding.

At the same time, issue a circular on the list of centrally bid drugs, Circular 07 regulating drug bidding at public health facilities, providing step-by-step instructions from construction to contractor selection.

Mr. Tuyen added that if the Pharmacy Law is passed, there will be 5 policies to reform administrative procedures to help speed up the process of granting drug circulation licenses, helping facilities import drugs and supply them to medical facilities.