Strictly manage the sale of drugs online
According to experts, in Vietnam, online drug sales started in 2017-2018 and have been growing strongly. It is estimated that the Vietnamese online drug market will reach about 5% - 8% of the drug sales market by 2024 and is growing continuously.
Many people also believe that buying prescription drugs online brings convenience to consumers, especially those living in remote areas where pharmacies do not always have drugs available. Instead of having to go to the doctor and buy medicine, patients can order online quickly, saving time and effort...
In the context of implementing the plan to propagate, contribute ideas to build and perfect the State's legal policies in the coming time, one of the new points of the Law on Pharmacy (amended) expected to be passed by the National Assembly is the regulation on online drug trading, experts spoke at the policy dialogue with the topic: "Online drug trading - Should or should not?" on National Assembly Television on the morning of November 15, emphasizing that the legalization and management of online drug sales need to be implemented immediately.
Ms. Tran Thi Nhi Ha, Deputy Head of the People's Petition Committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee, said that the sale of prescription drugs online needs to be strictly managed, helping consumers access quality drugs from reliable sources, easily look up drug information and reviews from other users before deciding to buy.
In addition, it is necessary to clearly distinguish between controlled online drug sales and spontaneous livestream drug sales by individuals on social networking platforms. Therefore, the legalization and management of online drug sales need to be implemented immediately to avoid the situation of "underground" sales, which are difficult to grasp and detect.
In response to concerns that online pharmaceutical trading will not be controlled, a representative of a pharmaceutical business said that purchasing drugs through an electronic environment will be much more transparent and easier for authorities to control, such as the consultation content can be recorded, and the drug transportation can be tracked in detail.
In addition, the delivery of drugs to patients with comparison through images, certification of quantity and quality, and keeping evidence in the electronic environment for tracing several months later is still possible. In particular, in the event of an unexpected incident, tracing the route of the goods will be much simpler and more accurate.
Sell prescription drugs online on the national electronic prescription system
Ms. Le Thi Ha, Head of the Department of E-commerce Management (Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy - Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that formal e-commerce operated by licensed companies should be facilitated to develop and electronic prescriptions are a favorable basis for e-commerce to develop properly.
Along with that, online medical examination and treatment is encouraged, pharmaceuticals should also be sold online. However, controlling companies and e-commerce trading floors based abroad is very difficult, and additional mechanisms and sanctions are needed for management.
Ms. Tran Thi Nhi Ha analyzed that currently, more than 80% of drugs are prescription drugs, only 20% are non-prescription drugs. Therefore, the demand for prescription drugs of the people is very large. In particular, the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment (amended) has stipulated the form of remote medical examination and treatment, if not selling electronic prescription drugs is also a difficulty.
She suggested that the law drafting committee study and supplement regulations allowing the retail sale of prescription drugs on e-commerce with drugs managed on the national information system for prescription management and prescription drug sales (National Prescription System). This is a centralized warehouse system that receives electronic copies of each prescription created at medical examination and treatment facilities.
Ms. Tran Thi Nhi Ha hopes that the Ministry of Health will quickly complete the National Prescription System; connect electronic prescriptions between hospitals, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical businesses.
However, it is necessary to closely monitor the purchase and sale of drugs through e-commerce, along with promoting propaganda for people about buying drugs according to doctors' prescriptions. In the coming time, the Government needs to issue or amend and supplement sanctions sufficient for medical examination and treatment facilities and drug sales to comply.
