The Ministry of Health has officially implemented a new framework for auditing and certifying Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for health supplement producers. This initiative aims to strengthen discipline and elevate product quality standards in the market through detailed assessment tools and a high-level expert network.
Key updates in the new protocol include:
-
Comprehensive Assessment Criteria: For the first time, a checklist featuring nearly 170 specific criteria has been issued. This covers 10 core areas, ranging from personnel management and facility infrastructure to raw material input control, complaint handling, and product recall procedures.
-
Mobilization of Interdisciplinary Experts: Instead of individual staff, audit teams will now include leading scientists in physical chemistry, microbiology, and testing from national institutes such as the National Institute of Drug Quality Control, Pasteur Institute, and regional testing centers.
-
Dual Management Objectives: The new process serves not only as a rigorous “yardstick” for consumer safety but also as a guiding document for businesses to self-assess and refine their internal operations.
The Vietnam Food Administration highlighted that this standardization was developed through consensus among stakeholders and has undergone a trial phase. The ultimate goal is to remove technical barriers for enterprises, ensuring an uninterrupted supply chain while maintaining the highest safety thresholds for public health.