The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has recently announced administrative sanctions against several entities in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. A notable case involves a cosmetic manufacturer forced to destroy over 100 batches of products containing prohibited ingredients.
Banned substance detection in cosmetics Authorities inspected Long Phung Khang Cosmetics Joint Stock Company (formerly Thu Duc District) following reports of substandard samples from Quang Ngai Province. Laboratory results confirmed:
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Non-compliant product: Lynshao whitening, acne, and dark spot removal cream (12g jar, batch 0234QN).
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Harmful ingredient: The product contained Dexamethasone—a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drug strictly prohibited in cosmetic formulations.
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Additional violations: The company failed to maintain mandatory production conditions after receiving its manufacturing certificate.
Regulatory actions against the manufacturer In response to these violations, the authorities implemented strict penalties:
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Fine: 165 million VND.
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Operational suspension: Revocation of the certificate of eligibility for cosmetic production for 2 months.
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Mandatory destruction: Recall and destruction of all 107 batches of cosmetics manufactured between January and December 2025.
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Dossier withdrawal: Cancellation of 31 cosmetic product notification numbers used during the violation period.
Pharmacy violations and sanctions During the same period, Thien Phuc Pharmacy (Phuc Hai Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.) was fined 73 million VND and suspended for 2 months. Key violations included:
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Altering the facility’s structure or location without reporting to authorities.
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Selling prescription drugs without a valid medical prescription.
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Failing to isolate or store medicines and herbal ingredients in designated areas as required.
The Department of Health encourages the public to report suspicious activities via their hotline or mobile app to prevent the circulation of counterfeit and low-quality medical products.