Prescription drugs can be purchased immediately, no prescription is required
Use ChatGPT to get advice: "I have tayrofoam, I'm tired, what medicine should I buy at the store to self-treat?". Immediately, the results were quite clear, such as: Pain relief, fever reduction, you can use paracetamol or Ibuprofen as prescribed on the packaging; antibiotics if you suspect infection, such as Amoxicillin; along with ear drops with anti-inflammatory antibiotic ingredients, or other supportive drugs (nessel spray, rhinoplasty...).
When there was a prescription above, posing as a drug buyer, the reporter went to Pharmacity Pharmacy (No. 2 Tran Quy Kien, Hanoi) to ask to buy Amoxicillin - a prescription antibiotic. Even though there was no doctor's prescription, the staff still thoughtlessly sold. The sales staff does not need to ask for the prescription, just say the name of the medicine and get the medicine out immediately.
Or Augmentin 1g - a widely prescribed antibiotic belonging to the penicillin group, fighting bacteria that often cause disease in the community, this is also a prescription drug. Although there was no doctor's prescription, the staff still sold the goods just by reading the name.
The sales staff only advised that Augmentin should be taken 5-7 days, 2 tablets per day. Customers can buy quantity and dosage according to their needs. When asked: "Do you need a prescription for antibiotics?", the employee calmly replied: No need". On the outside, the signboard and storage bag still clearly state: "Ction for enough prescription drugs - Genuine quality".
Not only Pharmacity, at An Huy pharmacy on Tran Kim Xuyen street, Hanoi, when asked to buy Augmentin, the employee immediately gave the medicine and did not ask for the doctor's prescription.
When the reporter asked to buy shingles medicine, the store employee quickly advised a type of medication with dietary advice. Without stopping, the reporter continued to ask about the medicine for treating a 9-year-old child with phlegm and was immediately prescribed a number of drugs, including anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, with a dose of 5 days.
At another pharmacy on Tran Quoc Vuong Street (Cau Giay Ward, Hanoi), after asking to buy 1 livestream of Amoxicillin (an antibiotic belonging to the Penicillin group), the employee immediately took the medicine with the advice: "Try 1 vien 1 time, take 2 vien a day". After that, the staff advised me to take a combination of doses, including 3-4 types of medicine, including anti-inflammatory.
The anti-inflammatory product that the employee sold to the reporter was Metilone-4. This is an anti-inflammatory that requires a prescription, and the pharmacy can only sell it when prescribed by a doctor.
Not only the above facility, at a pharmacy on Tran Quoc Hoan Street, when asked to buy drugs containing Codein, the staff immediately sold them. The employee said: "This type of medicine is taken with 4 capsules a day, divided into 2 sessions. Drugs with a Codein content of over 15%, such as Efferalgan Codein, are new to require a prescription. This type of codeine has a Codein content of less than 15%, so it is not mandatory according to regulations.
From antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs to topics or oral medications, all are easily purchased at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.
Clear regulations, loose implementation
According to Circular 07/2017/TT-BYT, dated May 3, 2017, the list of non-prescription drugs is divided into two groups: Prescription drugs (must have a doctor's prescription) and non-prescription drugs. Circular No. 52/2017/TT-BYT details the prescription of drugs and the prescription of pharmaceuticals and biological products in outpatient treatment.
To distinguish between prescription drugs, the Ministry of Health has issued Circular No. 01/2018/TT-BYT. In Article 15, for prescription drugs, the packaging label must have the symbol "Rx" in the left corner of the drug name and the words "prescription drugs". The drug instructions must also have the symbol "Rx", along with the words: "This drug is for prescription only".
Accordingly, patients must have a prescription from a doctor, and pharmacists must sell drugs according to the prescription. The regulations are like that, but in reality, for a long time, many people have had the habit of buying medicine for their own treatment without having to go to the doctor, pharmacy staff diagnose the disease and then prescribe medicine and sell it to people.
Currently, some online platforms have provided "medication suggestion" services based on users' symptoms, including prescription drugs. The combination of ChatGPT and online pharmacies creates a dangerous shortcut: Users can easily find and order medicine without seeing a doctor.
In reality, although the regulations of the Ministry of Health are clear, the situation of selling prescription drugs without a doctor's appointment is still common. This lax management not only violates the law but also poses a potential risk to public health. It is time for authorities to strengthen inspection and strictly handle the situation to restore discipline in drug management.
Dr. Vuong Anh Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health, said that the Ministry of Health has just issued Circular 26/2025/TT-BYT regulating the prescription of pharmaceutical chemicals and biological products in outpatient treatment, with many new points to strictly control the use of drugs, especially antibiotics, addictive drugs, and psychotherapy.
The Circular requires the prescribing person to clearly state the dosage, number of times used per day, number of days used to avoid errors, help patients use the drug properly and improve treatment effectiveness. The new regulation also emphasizes the principle: "Only prescribe drugs when absolutely necessary", ensuring safe, reasonable and professional use of drugs.
From October 1, 2025, hospitals will have to implement electronic prescriptions, and by January 1, 2026, this form will be mandatory nationwide. At that time, the prescription - drug sales system is connected, helping to prevent the situation of drug sales without a prescription, especially antibiotics.
Notably, each prescription will have an integrated personal identification number, helping to synchronize health data with the national database, reduce administrative errors and aim to build an electronic health record for all people.
According to Dr. Vuong Anh Duong, the new regulations not only help strictly control prescriptions, but also protect patients, improve safety and effectiveness in treatment.
