The Government has issued Decree 90/2026 on administrative sanctions in the healthcare sector, effective May 15. The new regulations significantly increase fines for violations in prescribing, drug dispensing, and professional certificate management to ensure patient safety.
Strict sanctions for improper prescribing Doctors and medical staff must be particularly mindful of the updated penalties:
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Inappropriate prescribing: Prescribing medication that does not match the patient’s diagnosis or clinical condition, or including unauthorized products in a prescription, carries a fine of 10 to 20 million VND.
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Procedural errors: Fines of 1 to 2 million VND apply for incomplete drug information recording or failure to cross-check prescriptions and dosages during dispensing.
Tightening controls on pharmaceutical retail outlets The decree imposes stricter penalty frameworks for pharmacies:
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Selling prescription drugs without a prescription: Selling regulated drugs without a physician’s order is now punishable by 10 to 20 million VND (double the previous rate).
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Quality and origin violations: Dispensing or selling expired, unverified, or improperly stored medications will face fines ranging from 20 to 30 million VND.
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Unauthorized drug substitution: Swapping a prescribed drug for another without the buyer’s consent results in a fine of 3 to 5 million VND.
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Professional staffing: Retailers operating without proper qualifications face fines of 1-3 million VND, while the absence of a designated professional in charge (without proper authorization) is fined 3-5 million VND.
Other violations Leasing or borrowing pharmaceutical practice certificates, as well as failing to quarantine recalled or substandard drugs at business premises, are also subject to fines between 10 and 20 million VND.