Institutions exist, but counterfeit goods are still rampant
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen raised the issue at the online meeting and directly with the ministries, branches and localities about the issue of drugs, cosmetics, functional foods organized by the Ministry of Health in the morning of 7.5: Vietnam has had legal documents, guidance of the National Steering Committee on food safety, professional management agencies, Ministry of Health, Fake Industry and Trade ... The Ministry of Health requires localities and relevant units to review the entire legal system and strengthen management responsibilities at each level.
Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen said that the Government has issued many guiding documents, including 3 of the Prime Minister's electricity requesting to strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations in the field of drug production, trading of drugs, food and fake milk. The Ministry of Health is tasked with advising and drafting a Decree and 7 circulars guiding the implementation of the Pharmaceutical Law (amended) effective from 1.7.2025, and the Standing Committee of the National Steering Committee on food safety.
However, according to the Deputy Minister, although the laws and decrees have been issued, the implementation of the organization still has many shortcomings, especially at the local level. "Provinces and cities are the agencies that directly manage food safety, medicine, cosmetics... but still allow serious incidents to occur" - Mr. Tuyen said.
Many violations have not been thoroughly handled
The report of the Drug Administration of Vietnam shows that although the rate of poor quality drugs has decreased, the practice of producing and trading fake drugs still exists. Recently, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police discovered a serious case related to fake medicine.
Deputy Director of the Department of Drug Administration Ta Manh Hung said that in 2024, the Ministry of Health established nearly 90 inspection teams to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to handle many cases. The total amount of administrative fines is more than 2.5 billion VND. However, the representative of the Department of Pharmacy admitted that there are still many loopholes in the post-inspection stage, especially in small-scale distribution and online sales channels.
Deputy Director of the Department of Food Safety Nguyen Hung Long reported that counterfeit products are currently manufactured very sophisticatedly, making it difficult to distinguish them from real ones, often consumed through social networks and e-commerce platforms.
In the beginning of 2025 alone, many major cases have been discovered, related to fake milk, fake health protection foods, cooking oils, immediately... These products are often not legally advertised, fake labels, origins and quality.
The Food Safety Department has transferred many documents to the police for investigation, and at the same time requested the local Departments of Health and Food Safety to tighten post-inspections, especially for establishments producing and trading functional foods and milk.
Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen requested units to urgently review institutions and propose timely amendments and supplements to avoid "not being charged with a crime even when having a law". At the same time, he emphasized the role of local authorities in inspection, supervision and propaganda so that people can feel secure in using food, medicine and milk at reasonable prices and ensure safety.
