Prevalence of Online Violations According to the Traditional Medical Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health, a surge of deceptive advertising campaigns concerning traditional medicine has recently emerged across online platforms and social media networks. Common infractions involve exaggerating treatment efficacies, offering unauthorized health consultations, selling unregulated remedies, and falsely guaranteeing complete cures. Furthermore, several entities and practitioners operating these channels lack valid medical licenses, posing severe threats to public health and consumer rights.
Regulatory Directives for Enforcement In response to these systemic violations, the Traditional Medical Administration has dispatched an official document guiding provincial and municipal Departments of Health to execute immediate counter-measures:
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Conducting Surprise Audits: Authorities must intensify unannounced inspections targeting individuals and businesses operating within the traditional medicine sector to promptly detect, rectify, and penalize compliance breaches, with a primary focus on illicit advertising.
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Ensuring Data Transparency: Departments are required to regularly update and publish licensed practitioners, approved medical scopes, and operational permits, enabling the public to verify and select certified healthcare providers safely.
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Expanding Public Awareness: Information campaigns must be amplified to help citizens identify red flags, such as overstated therapeutic claims or the unauthorized use of reputable doctors’ profiles. Educational efforts should clarify the distinction between traditional medicine and dietary supplements, reinforcing that health supplements are not medicines and cannot replace therapeutic drugs.
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Leveraging Community Reports: Local regulators must strengthen systems for receiving public complaints and whistleblowing reports regarding illegal medical operations, collaborating closely with local law enforcement to ensure strict legal penalties.