On March 25, 2026, the Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) issued a nationwide alert regarding a suspicious injectable drug labeled YEZTUGO (active ingredient: lenacapavir). This product is a counterfeit of Gilead Sciences Inc.’s brand and has not been granted any marketing authorization in Vietnam.
Key information and warnings:
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Identification of Violation: The counterfeit product is labeled as YEZTUGO (lenacapavir) injection 463.5mg/1.5mL. National database searches confirm that no such product or manufacturer has been registered or licensed to distribute this medication in Vietnam.
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Health Risks: YEZTUGO is a fraudulent trade name for an HIV antiviral substance. Utilizing counterfeit or unverified medications fails to provide effective prevention or treatment, posing a direct threat to the lives and safety of users.
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Regulatory Emergency Actions:
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The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has been directed to further investigate and penalize entities involved in distributing this counterfeit brand.
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Local authorities are instructed to inform the public not to buy, sell, or use the aforementioned YEZTUGO product.
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Inspections will be tightened to verify the origin of pharmaceutical invoices and documents to dismantle counterfeit drug trafficking rings.
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Recommendations: Citizens and healthcare facilities are urged to remain vigilant, purchasing medications only from licensed providers, and to promptly report any suspicious activity regarding unverified drugs to health and law enforcement agencies.
This directive is part of an intensified campaign to combat smuggling, commercial fraud, and intellectual property infringement within the healthcare sector as mandated by the government.