Investigations and prosecutorial findings regarding the case at the Food Administration have unveiled a deficient management system that enabled prolonged legal violations. The case centers on the establishment of “under-the-table” protocols for dossier approval, resulting in the distribution of substandard goods in the market.
Extralegal fee mechanisms According to case records, the absence of detailed technical guidelines and assessment procedures created significant hurdles for businesses. Exploiting these ambiguities, certain officials reportedly initiated a policy of collecting fees beyond state regulations to expedite approvals. These charges ranged from several million to tens of millions of VND per dossier, depending on the type of product registration or advertising certification. The accumulated funds were subsequently distributed through a hierarchy from leadership to processing specialists.
Compromised inspection standards Prosecuting authorities have determined that the acceptance of financial incentives directly undermined oversight functions. Specifically, during Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) audits and post-market inspections, numerous violations at pharmaceutical facilities were overlooked. This allowed unqualified manufacturing sites to continue operations and supply products to the public under official labels.
Market and social impact Beyond the economic loss involving hundreds of billions of VND in illicit gains, these violations have caused severe consequences for public health. The lack of stringent management facilitated the circulation of low-quality dietary supplements, eroded consumer trust, and fostered an unfair competitive environment for law-abiding enterprises.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuu-cuc-truong-tiep-tay-cho-thuc-pham-gia-nhu-the-nao-20251219080258667.htm