The Ministry of Health has recently issued Circular 01/2026/TT-BYT, officially adding specialized medical supplies to the national centralized procurement list. This strategic move aims to optimize treatment costs and standardize prices for high-value medical items.
Two primary product groups:
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Artificial intraocular lenses: Widely used in cataract surgeries.
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Coronary stents: Essential components for cardiovascular interventions.
Objectives and implementation timeline:
These product groups were selected based on criteria such as high unit cost, high volume of usage, and significant impact on the Health Insurance Fund’s solvency. The centralized procurement mechanism is expected to drive down prices compared to individual hospital-level bidding, following the successful model previously applied to certain pharmaceuticals.
According to the regulations, relevant agencies will begin preparations on March 1, 2026. The actual bidding and procurement process under this new list will officially commence on January 1, 2027.