What is the correct answer to tackle counterfeit drug sales?

Why are counterfeit drugs still available - are the sanctions for such violations not strong enough to deter them?

Ta Manh Hung, deputy general director of the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health

It is correct that one of the reasons why illegally produced pharmaceuticals are still available in the market is that the sanctions are weak. For example, a box of counterfeit drugs costs only a few US dollars, so the current administrative penalty only ranges up to maybe $100 or thereabouts.

A counterfeit drugs case in Thanh Hoa province in April is a strong example. The Ministry of Health (MoH) directed the provincial department of health to coordinate with the market management department and local authorities to send files of similar cases with signs of criminality to the police.

The provincial department also established an initiative to combat and destroy the production and trade of counterfeit drugs for treatment and disease prevention. Therefore, in addition to increasing sanctions against violators, there needs to be high determination and close coordination with law enforcement agencies to track down, trace, and destroy production sites. This is crucial.

What specific recommendations and proposals does the MoH have to deal with fake and poor-quality drugs?

Legislation was introduced in 2018 to strengthen the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, production, and trading of counterfeit and poor quality goods such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, functional food, medicinal herbs, and traditional medicines.

Immediately after the incident of counterfeit drugs was found in Thanh Hoa in April, the prime minister issued dispatches on thoroughly handling acts of trading in counterfeit drugs, health protection foods, and fake milk.

The MoH has also issued a plan and issued many directives on drug quality inspection and supervision, and the fight against counterfeit drugs and drugs of unknown origin.

Currently, the MoH is urgently developing a plan and synchronously implementing solutions to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the fight against counterfeit drugs, poor quality drugs, and drugs of unknown origin.

These solutions include reviewing legal regulations in the direction of strengthening sanctions to deter potential violations; enhancing the effectiveness of inspection and supervision at all levels of management; building a database of drugs with circulation registration certificates; promoting communication to raise awareness in choosing to buy drugs legally; and strengthening coordination with relevant agencies to handle cases of illegal online drug trading.

According to reports, up to 30 per cent of active ingredients in pharmaceuticals cannot be tested at provincial testing facilities due to lack of equipment. What are the ministry’s solutions for this?

In addition to the aforementioned comprehensive solutions, the MoH also implements immediate solutions. We will focus on strengthening the management, inspection, and examination of drug supply facilities, requiring facilities to have full invoices and documents proving the origin of drugs before importing and selling to people. We will also strengthen inspection and supervision of pharmaceutical production and trading facilities, especially on e-commerce channels and social networks.

Moreover, we encourage businesses to apply traceability technology and anti-counterfeit stamps, such as QR codes, to manage goods, reduce losses, and prevent counterfeit drugs. We also require a nationwide testing system, including central drug testing institutes and provincial and municipal testing centres, to increase taking drug samplings in the market, both periodically and irregularly.

In addition, we also recommend that local people’s committees increase funding for sampling and purchasing activities, as well as invest in facilities and training to improve the capacity of testing and monitoring drug quality locally.

Nationwide sweep targets counterfeit food and drugs Counterfeit goods, particularly milk, medicines, and functional foods, were the key focus of a government press briefing on May 6.

Crackdown increases on fake drugs The availability of counterfeit and poor-quality pharmaceuticals is becoming more serious than ever in the local market, with more violations being revealed by authorities.