The Incident: Discovery of Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals
On the afternoon of April 13, the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine officially issued an urgent alert regarding the appearance of counterfeit medical products fraudulently using the hospital’s brand. The issue surfaced when a patient brought in two vials labeled with the hospital’s name that exhibited abnormal packaging and appearances. Investigation revealed that the patient had purchased these from an external private clinic, mistakenly believing they were authentic hospital products.
Health Risks and Consequences Hospital representatives emphasized that they cannot verify the quality or chemical composition of these counterfeit drugs. The distribution of such untraceable pharmaceuticals severely damages the institution’s reputation and, more critically, poses unpredictable risks to patient safety and health. The hospital stated it holds no liability for any medical complications arising from products not directly supplied by its official pharmacy.
Guidelines for Identifying Authentic vs. Counterfeit Medication
Recommendations and Legal Actions
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For the Public: The hospital advises patients to purchase medication exclusively at its two official facilities. For verification of suspicious products, the public should contact the pharmacy hotline at 0973.788.187.
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For Authorities: The hospital has collected evidence and is preparing a formal report to be submitted to the Pharmaceutical Management Department of the HCMC Department of Health for investigation and legal prosecution.