Health Ministry Mandates Stricter Enforcement Against Drug and Cosmetic Violations
The regulatory body issues an official directive for an intensive inspection period to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam (a specialized regulatory body under the Ministry of Health) has issued an official document to local Departments of Health, urging them to intensify measures to prevent and curb smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit products within the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors.
This action follows a directive from the Ministry of Health issued on December 10, 2025. The primary goal is to ensure a safe and healthy market for the public, particularly during the end of 2025 and the period surrounding the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, which is the Bính Ngọ (Year of the Horse) 2026.
Details of the High-Intensity Inspection Campaign:
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Duration: From December 15, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
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Coordination: Collaboration with the provincial Steering Committee 389, Market Management, Police, Customs, and other local enforcement agencies.
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Targets: Establishments involved in drug registration, as well as facilities that announce, manufacture, and trade pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Key Inspection Focus Areas:
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Legal Status of Facilities and Products: Business eligibility certificates and maintenance of Good Practices (GPs), legality of products (Marketing Authorization/Product Announcement Receipt for cosmetics).
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Quality and Provenance: Origin, source, invoices, sales documents, product quality, and expiry dates.
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Labeling and Documentation: Product labeling, consistency between announced information and actual products, provision of Product Information Files (PIF – for cosmetics).
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Online Activities: Reviewing and inspecting business and advertising practices on e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopee, Lazada) and social media (e.g., Facebook, TikTok).
Strict Enforcement Measures: Agencies are instructed to decisively penalize non-compliant organizations and individuals according to the law, ensuring no exceptions or restricted areas. In cases where criminal signs are detected (e.g., high value of goods, serious consequences, organized violations), dossiers must be transferred to investigative bodies for criminal prosecution.
Local Departments of Health are requested to report any difficulties or obstacles encountered during implementation promptly to the Drug Administration for joint resolution, thereby ensuring the management of drugs and cosmetics is carried out effectively, safeguarding public health and consumer rights.
Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/bo-y-te-xu-ly-nghiem-vi-pham-ve-duoc-my-pham-169251216204326898.htm
