Key Development
On August 18, 2026, the Municipal Inspectorate of Can Tho City officially released its comprehensive inspection report evaluating regulatory compliance across pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and health supplement distribution operations spanning four commercial entities and branches located within the municipality.
Inspected Commercial Entities:
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Can Tho Branch – Haiduong Medical Materials and Pharmaceutical JSC (Haiduong Duavico).
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Soc Trang Branch – Duc Viet Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
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S.Pharm Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.
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Can Tho An Khang Depot No. 11943 – Can Tho An Khang Pharma JSC Branch.
Inspection Findings & Regulatory Infractions:
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Unauthorized Distribution of Controlled Codeine Formulations: The Can Tho branch of Haiduong Duavico was found to have distributed special controlled combination pharmaceuticals containing narcotic active pharmaceutical ingredients (Codeine) to four retail drug counters (quầy thuốc) that lacked statutory authorization for controlled substances on their Certificates of Eligibility for Pharmacy Business issued by the Department of Health (breaching provisions under the Law on Pharmacy 2016). The file was transferred to the Can Tho Department of Health for formal administrative penalties.
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Product Recall Documentation Deficiencies at An Khang Chain: The An Khang Pharma distribution hub demonstrated deficiencies in staff training records, detailed delivery scheduling, and utilized product recall templates non-compliant with Ministry of Health Circular standards.
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Data Redundancy & Reporting Inconsistencies at Duc Viet & S.Pharm: Duc Viet Pharma lacked physical backup logs for electronic inventory management software during potential data outages; S.Pharm submitted its 2025 special controlled drug reports using outdated regulatory templates and lacked periodic document review SOPs.
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Overall Assessment: The Can Tho Inspectorate noted that infractions were primarily procedural, non-systemic, posed no acute severe harm, and that all corporate entities cooperated fully during the inspection.
Why It Matters
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Mitigating Diversion Risks for Narcotic Ingredients (Codeine): Codeine is an opioid cough suppressant and analgesic subject to special regulatory controls due to potential addiction and dependence risks. Legally, only pharmacies (nhà thuốc) with verified GPP credentials and authorized personnel are permitted to dispense controlled combination medications. Supplying unauthorized lower-tier drug counters increases diversion risks into unregulated commercial channels.
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Standardizing Product Recall SOPs for Modern Retail Chains: As corporate pharmacy chains (such as An Khang) expand retail networks, standardizing product recall protocols in strict alignment with Ministry of Health circulars is critical for rapid lot containment.
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Enforcing GDP & GPP Supply Chain Integrity: The inspection underscores heightened post-licensing surveillance across regional wholesale distribution hubs (GSP/GDP) and downstream retail endpoints across southern Vietnam.
Healthcare Insight Analysis
From the perspective of Healthcare Insight, the Can Tho inspection findings on August 18, 2026, illustrate Pharma Distribution Compliance & Controlled Substance Oversight.
Supply chain governance across the Mekong Delta region reflects three operational priorities:
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Differentiating Retail Scope (Pharmacies vs. Drug Counters): Under Vietnam’s Law on Pharmacy 2016, lower-tier “drug counters” (quầy thuốc, operated by associate pharmacists) maintain restricted dispensing formularies and are legally barred from selling controlled narcotic combinations unless granted explicit certification. Wholesale distributors must institute strict customer verification (KYC) protocols prior to fulfilling orders.
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Institutionalizing Data Redundancy Protocols: The mandate requiring physical documentation backups for electronic inventory systems ensures continuous auditability and batch traceability during digital infrastructure failures.
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Harmonizing Digital Regulatory Reporting: Document format discrepancies highlight the necessity of deploying unified digital portals connecting regional distributors, provincial Health Departments, and the Drug Administration of Vietnam.
Market Implications
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Heightened Controlled Drug Audits in Southern Provinces: Mekong Delta Health Departments are expected to expand audits targeting combination analgesics (Paracetamol + Codeine/Tramadol) at suburban retail counters.
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Strengthening Client Verification (KYC) Among Wholesale Distributors: Pharmaceutical wholesalers will enforce strict compliance reviews of buyer licensing credentials prior to dispatching scheduled medicines.
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Upgrading SOP Frameworks Across Pharmacy Chains: Major retail pharmacy networks will update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing product recalls and electronic data archiving.
Inspection Matrix: Can Tho Municipal Pharmaceutical Audit (August 2026)
| Audited Entity | Documented Deficiencies & Procedural Gaps | Regulatory Breach & Enforcement Action |
| Haiduong Duavico (Can Tho Branch) | Controlled substance distribution breach | Distributed Codeine drugs to 4 unauthorized counters; referred for statutory administrative fine. |
| An Khang Pharma (Depot 11943) | Incomplete training logs & delivery schedules | Product recall templates non-compliant with MOH Circular. |
| Duc Viet Pharma (Soc Trang Branch) | Missing periodic document review SOPs | Electronic inventory lacked physical backup protocols. |
| S.Pharm Pharmaceutical JSC | Inappropriate nomenclature in internal SOPs | Submitted 2025 controlled drug report on incorrect template. |