Still the situation of "fluctuating" health insurance drugs
Suffering from diabetes for nearly 20 years, patient L.V. D, 72 years old in Cau Giay ward (Hanoi) continuously has to inject insulin. Every month, patients come to the hospital for health insurance examination at E Hospital. However, in the past 4 months, insulin injection drugs have been announced to be sold out. This means that patients have to buy them themselves outside to maintain treatment.
Previously, each time I went for a periodic check-up, I was prescribed 5 vials of insulin/2 months. However, in the past 4 months, the hospital announced that the medicine was out of stock, so I was forced to buy medicine outside for 320,000 VND/vial. The doctor only announced that the insulin medicine was out of stock and did not say when it would be available or how to buy medicine outside, but insurance still paid" - patient D said.
Health insurance drugs are dispensed without shortage for a long time but quite "fluctuating", with enough and missing months. Mr. T.Q. N (75 years old, Yen Hoa ward, Hanoi), examined at Military Hospital 354, suffers from many diseases such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, varicose veins of the lower extremities, and increased liver enzymes.
In recent months, the medicines issued are not as sufficient as before: January 2026 still has blood pressure, cardiovascular, and liver tonic medicine; February only has blood pressure medicine; in March, all types will be fully re-issued, and April 2026 is unclear. "What medicines the hospital dispenses, I use them, in short months I have to buy more from outside myself" - Mr. N said. Representatives of E Hospital said that they have received information and asked them to re-examine the cause of the shortage of medicines according to patient feedback.
Ms. Tran Thi Trang - Director of the Health Insurance Department (Ministry of Health) - said that hospital shortages, people buying medicine outside the hospital are reimbursed by health insurance is one of the notable contents stipulated in Circular 22/2024 of the Ministry of Health, which has taken effect from January 1, 2025. The payment level is calculated according to the quantity and unit price on the invoice for buying medicine or medical equipment, but does not exceed the most recent winning bid price at the treatment hospital. The dossier includes a photocopy of the original for comparison: Health insurance card, personal papers, discharge papers or medical examination forms/books, invoices and related documents. Patients or relatives submit the dossier to the Social Insurance agency at their place of residence. Within 40 days, the Social Insurance agency must pay; if refusing, they must respond in writing and state the reason.
Also according to Ms. Trang, regarding the shortage of Insunova 30/70 supply, E Hospital is requested to proactively use other drugs. A drug supply company has just sent a document to E Hospital announcing the temporary interruption of supply of Insunova 30/70 (Biphasic) products due to a sudden increase in demand and the impact of international freight transportation.
According to Official Dispatch No. 3896/2025/TENDER dated December 17, 2025 of Hoang Duc Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. Branch sent to E Hospital, this enterprise is the winning bidder to supply Insunova 30/70 (Biphasic) products according to Decision No. 3279/QD-BVE dated August 6, 2025 of the Director of E Hospital on approving the results of contractor selection through the generic drug bidding package.
Based on the contract signed between E Hospital and Hoang Duc Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. on August 12, 2025, the enterprise is responsible for supplying a total of 15,000 Insunova 30/70 (Biphasic) drug units within 12 months from the date the contract takes effect.
However, up to now, the enterprise has only supplied 2,400 units, and the remaining 12,600 units cannot be handed over.
According to the supplier, the demand for Insunova 30/70 (Biphasic) has increased sharply while inventory is limited, and the impact of the war has slowed transportation to Vietnam, disrupting supply.
The enterprise said that it is coordinating with the factory to accelerate production and shorten transportation time. During the interruption period, the unit requested E Hospital to proactively use replacement drugs to ensure treatment for patients.
Need solutions to overcome the shortage of health insurance drugs
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan once admitted the shortage of medicines and medical supplies at some facilities, affecting the rights of health insurance patients. The main reasons are obstacles in bidding and centralized procurement, especially the transitional period according to new regulations; along with that, slow approval of lists, estimates, changes in technical guidelines and lack of supply from manufacturers.
The Ministry of Health said that it is coordinating with localities to remove difficulties, accelerate procurement, and ensure sufficient medicines and supplies for medical examination and treatment, especially with health insurance.
According to regulations, from July 1, 2025, autonomous hospitals are allowed to proactively decide to purchase drugs and medical equipment from the unit's revenue, health insurance fund and other legal capital sources, without necessarily having to conduct bidding according to the Bidding Law. Decree 214/2025/ND-CP and Circular 40/2025/TT-BYT were also issued to simplify procedures, increase transparency and improve the efficiency of contractor selection.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that, besides mechanisms and policies, the organization of implementation in localities plays a very important role. The Ministry has requested localities to direct medical facilities to proactively develop plans and deploy procurement in accordance with regulations to ensure sufficient medicines and equipment for medical examination and treatment.
Regarding the HI drug list, the Ministry of Health said that Vietnam is currently one of the few countries with the scope of drugs paid by the HI Fund quite fully compared to the contribution level. The Ministry has issued Circular 37/2024/TT-BYT as a basis for building, updating and paying the HI drug list, and is also developing a new circular to replace Circular 20/2022/TT-BYT to continue expanding and updating the list of drugs paid by HI.
