Vietnam Needs to Develop Rare Drug Policy to Enhance Access to Medications
Dr. Nguyen Khanh Phuong, head of the Strategy and Health Policy Institute at the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, has advocated for the establishment of a rare drug policy aimed at improving access to essential medications, local media reported.
The expert made the proposal as the rare drugs, despite their availability in the world, either lack approval for use in Vietnam or remain financially inaccessible in the country due to high costs and limited coverage by health insurance.
Rare drugs, tailored to specific patient groups, necessitate specialized approval criteria within government payment programs and health insurance schemes, distinct from those for conventional medications, Mr. Phuong added.
Sharing the same viewpoint, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Minh Dien, director of the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, noted that treatment for rare diseases primarily hinges on medications. He proposed considering the inclusion of rare drugs in insurance coverage and reimbursement policies.
Dr. Phu Chi Dung, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital, underscored the need to speed up approval processes and import permits to facilitate patient access to rare drugs. He also emphasized the importance of integrating rare drugs into insurance coverage.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai, director of the Hematology Center at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion in Hanoi, pointed out that despite receiving funds from an international aid source, the institute encountered procedural obstacles, prompting the return the funds. She suggested streamlining regulations governing foreign aid reception.
In Vietnam, six million people suffer from around 100 rare diseases, with children accounting for 58% of cases. As many as 30% of these children succumb to their conditions before reaching the age of five, primarily due to barriers in accessing essential treatment therapies.