Recommendations to solve shortages of medicines, medical supplies should be assessed: PM
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded Acting Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan to consult with experts on solutions to handle the current shortages of medicines and medical supplies, thus giving appropriate and timely directions for this issue at medical examination and treatment facilities.
Hanoi (VNA)- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded Acting Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan to consultwith experts on solutions to handle thecurrent shortages of medicines and medical supplies, thus giving appropriate and timely directions for thisissue at medical examinationand treatment facilities.
According to DocumentNo. 514/VPCP-KGVX dated August 24, 2022, PM Chinh requested the Acting Ministerof Health to carefully assess recommendations of experts in order to direct theimplementation of proper solutions.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Previously, the Government Portal hosted a seminar on measure to address the shortages of medicines and medical supplies, during which participants pointed out causes of theshortages of medicines and medical supplies, and proposed solutions to the issue.
They underlined theneed to assess the extent and situation of drug shortages at all levels fromcentral health establishments to local facilities, and determine the cause of medicineshortages at each unit.
A number of contentsrelated to medicine prices inthe Pharmacy Law, and provisions of theLaw on Bidding need to be considered, they said.
The Ministry of Healthwas reminded to urgently amend and soon issue circulars related to biddinginstructions, drug registration and prices; and guidelines for procurement ofmedical equipment, including medical supplies.
Issues under theauthority of the MoH, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Planning andInvestment, which remain stuck and affect relevant bidding activities, must bereviewed, participants said.
They also emphasisedthe necessity to improve the capacity and responsibility of agencies relatingto the bidding work, strengthen the state governance at all levels, and promotethe application of IT in this work.
According to Dao KhanhTung, a representative from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, the State can significantly save on drug costs in the way that UNDP has beensupporting countries.
Specifically,every two years, UNDP will organise a global tender, then negotiate withmanufacturers and suppliers of drugs and medical supplies around the world tohelp poor and developing countries access to the right supply of generic drugs,brand-name medicines and other medical goods at their right prices.
UNDP’s such supportis to minimise the intermediary stages, and ensure transparency of the price,thus benefiting not only patients but also countries whose budgets arealready tight, Tung said./.
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An advisory council of the Ministry of Health (MoH) has proposed this ministry grant certificates of registration for conditional circulation of three medicines containing the active ingredient molnupiravir for COVID-19 treatment.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread nationwide and is gradually being considered an endemic disease that could be treated at home, demand for drugs has increased sharply.
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The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
