Vietnam joins Interpol’s fight against fake medicine
Vietnam has joined 12 other Asian countries in a campaign launched by the Interpol in September to prevent the trading of counterfeit pharmaceutical products.
Medicine quality examination in a pharmacy (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)🔥 - Vietnam has joined 12 other Asian countries in a campaign launched by the Interpol in September to prevent the trading of counterfeit pharmaceutical products.
Fake drugs worth 7 million USD were seized by international police during the campaign, Interpol said on December 21.
The counterfeits, including antibiotics, anti-hypertension pills and even rabies vaccines, were taken from pharmacies, markets and online pharmacies when Interpol attempted to inhibit the widespread of fake drugs which are manufactured in the region.
Some 87 individuals were arrested in the crackdown, called “Operation Storm VI”.
According to Head of Interpol’s Global Health and Safety unit Aline Plancon, the operation shows the level of complexity of crimes related to counterfeit pharmaceuticals as well as perils for public health and safety.
A study from the World Health Organisation revealed that Asia, Latin America and especially Africa are hardest hit by fake medicine as their pharmaceutical management and control systems are the weakest in the world.-VNA
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has introduced a national campaign against the production of fake pharmacy products, supplementary foods and cosmetics.
As Lunar New Year (Tet) is coming up in four months, smuggling rings are moving their imported goods to the domestic market in preparation for New Year consumption.
Smuggling, counterfeit goods, and trade fraud became increasingly sophisticated in the first ten months of this year, according to Nguyen Van Can, Deputy Head of General Department of Vietnam Customs
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
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An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
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.
Medicine quality examination in a pharmacy (Source: VNA)
