Thanh Nien has reported that one of the issues raised was the challenges for public hospitals in being reimbursed for pharmaceutical purchases by the state hindering their ability to make timely payments to pharmaceutical companies. The Minister told the NA that this has been addressed with amendments made to the Law on Health insurance made last year, however, the Minister, based on Thanh Nien’s reporting, does not appear to have detailed which parts of the law or how they have worked in a practical sense.

Furthermore, the Minister went on to say that drug shortages are partly connected to the new Law on Bidding that came into effect at the start of the year but around which there was reportedly confusion with respect to its implementation. This has also been hindered by a lack of qualified human resources. The Minister has said that this should be resolved by the new Law on Pharmaceuticals expected to be passed before the end of this sitting of the National Assembly.

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