Faced with the risk that counterfeit drugs circulating on the market can directly affect people's health, the Hanoi Department of Health (member of the Hanoi Steering Committee 389) has just issued an urgent notice on verifying and handling information related to Aclasta drugs with signs of counterfeiting. This is a timely move to ensure the safety of patients as well as protect the legitimate rights of consumers in the capital.
Accordingly, the Hanoi Department of Health requires medical facilities and pharmaceutical businesses including wholesale and retail throughout the city to strictly prohibit the business, distribution and use of Aclasta drugs with production date after September 2024 but still have the Novartis logo on the packaging. This request is based on the direction from the Department of Drug Administration in Official Dispatch No. 2581/QLD-CL issued on September 10, 2025 on verification and handling of information related to Aclasta drugs suspected of being forged.
Previously, information from Sandoz Vietnam Co., Ltd. - the unit registered for circulation of Aclasta drugs in Vietnam said that on July 16, 2025, the company received a complaint from a pharmacy under the Family Medicine Tools Clinic, located at G2.1 Pham Hung, An Hoa Ward, Rach Gia City, Kien Giang (according to the old address). According to the reflection, a customer came to ask to buy Aclasta and provided a picture of the product packaging (drug name: Aclasta, Lot: KHBY7, MFD: 08/2024, EXP: 07/2027).
From the information on the packaging, Sandoz Vietnam Co., Ltd. cooperated with Aclasta drug factory in Slovenia (Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d.) has been verified.
The results showed that the above batch of drugs was not manufactured by Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Slovenia (Sandoz's factory), and was not imported by Sandoz Vietnam Co., Ltd.
Notably, since September 2024, all genuine Aclasta products have changed their brand identity, removing the Novartis logo on the packaging label, replacing it with the Sandoz logo. Therefore, the appearance of a product with a production date of August 2024 but still with the Novartis logo is determined to be unusual, showing signs of being a fake drug.
In this situation, the Hanoi Department of Health requires medical facilities and pharmaceutical businesses in the area to carefully review sales activities, only trading products of clear origin. If drugs are detected with the above information, the facility must immediately notify the Department of Health for timely handling measures. This is a mandatory requirement to prevent the risk of fake drugs entering the market, causing harm to patients.
At the same time, the People's Committees of communes and wards in Hanoi are responsible for notifying pharmaceutical establishments about the warning content; monitoring and inspecting compliance at establishments; at the same time, receiving feedback from people and businesses to promptly report to the Department of Health.
Close coordination from the grassroots level will help better manage drug circulation activities, minimizing the risk of fake tea.
Along with that, the Department of Health also directed units to seriously implement Directive No. 13/CT-TTg dated May 17, 2025 of the Prime Minister on strengthening the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in the new situation. At the same time, implement the Prime Minister's Official Dispatches No. 41/CD-TTg and 55/CD-TTg on strengthening measures to fight against counterfeit goods and counterfeit goods, and protect the legitimate rights of consumers.
The Hanoi Center for Drug, Cosmetic and Food Testing was assigned to post Official Dispatch No. 2581/QLD-CL of the Department of Drug Administration on the Official Electronic Information Page, to help pharmaceutical establishments, as well as people, easily access and grasp information.
At the same time, the Center will also conduct a review during the process of taking samples for testing on the market. If there are any suspicious signs related to Aclasta drugs, it must urgently report to the Department of Health for handling.
According to experts, Aclasta is a drug used in the treatment of osteoporosis and diseases related to bone metabolism, often prescribed for specific patients. Therefore, if the patient accidentally uses fake medicine, the risk of not achieving treatment effectiveness, and even having adverse reactions is very high. This is also the reason why authorities have to take drastic measures to protect public health.
