Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen has just signed a document sent to the People's Committees of provinces and cities on the management of medical equipment prices. The Ministry requests localities to urgently review and update the list of medical equipment business organizations subject to price declaration according to regulations; and at the same time publicize the list, focal points and methods of receiving declarations on the electronic information portal.
Localities need to guide and urge businesses to declare fully, in accordance with forms and deadlines. Declaration dossiers must be sent within a maximum of 5 working days from the date the business organization decides the price. Price information after receipt must also be updated to the National Price Database.
The Ministry of Health requests regular monitoring and analysis of declared data to detect abnormal price fluctuations, large differences between units or inconsistencies with price formation factors and market levels. When necessary, functional agencies can request businesses to explain, provide dossiers, documents or conduct inspections.
Medical equipment must not be sold at a price higher than the listed price
The Ministry of Health also requires organizations and individuals trading in medical equipment to strictly implement regulations on price listing. The listed price must be the selling price including taxes, fees, charges (if any), and fully show information about the name of the equipment, type, model, manufacturer, origin or technical characteristics to avoid confusion.
Prices must be clearly listed and easy to observe at business establishments, showrooms, fairs, exhibitions, websites, e-commerce platforms and other forms of sales. Organizations and individuals are not allowed to sell at prices higher than the listed price and must update information immediately when prices change.
For product packages with transportation, installation, maintenance, training or consumption materials, businesses must publicly disclose the equipment price and related costs separately, avoiding misunderstanding for customers.
Focus on inspecting and strictly handling violations
The Ministry of Health requests localities to coordinate between health, finance, market management, tax and related units to develop plans to inspect declaration, listing and sale at listed prices.
The focus of inspection includes cases of not declaring prices, declaring incorrectly or lacking content; not listing, listing unclearly; selling higher than the listed price or showing signs of taking advantage of scarcity to unreasonably increase prices.
Violations must be handled or proposed for strict handling according to regulations. If signs of violations in competition, trade, taxes, invoices, bidding or other fields are detected, functional agencies must promptly transfer information and dossiers to competent authorities.
The Ministry of Health also requests to establish a mechanism for data exchange between agencies, promptly receive and process feedback from people and businesses about medical equipment prices; and at the same time promote the application of information technology, standardize and connect price declaration data with the National Price Database.
