"Vietnam's pharmaceutical industry has seen robust growth over the past three decades, progressively enhancing its self-sufficiency. Domestically produced drugs now fulfill approximately 60% of the quantity of medicines used and represent about 46% of the total value of drug consumption," stated Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Drug Administration of Vietnam on 7/8.
The Minister noted that Vietnam's pharmaceutical market is currently valued at approximately 7 billion USD, with per capita drug consumption at around 70 USD, a significant increase from the early 2000s. The nation boasts 245 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, with 26 factories meeting EU-GMP or equivalent standards. Numerous enterprises have invested in advanced technology, mastering various dosage forms and progressively manufacturing high-tech drugs, thereby expanding exports to demanding markets.
These achievements underscore the growth in domestic production capacity, alongside improvements in quality and technological expertise. The local pharmaceutical industry plays a crucial role in ensuring drug security, lessening reliance on foreign supplies, and enhancing public access to essential medicines.
A representative from the Drug Administration of Vietnam stated that the testing system annually collects between 30,000 and 40,000 drug samples from the market to monitor quality during circulation and use. For 2025 alone, 943 batches of vaccines and medical biological products underwent review before distribution.
The incidence of substandard drugs remains below 1%, and counterfeit drugs below 0,1%, figures lower than the regional and global averages, as assessed by the World Health Organization. The cost of patented drugs in Vietnam is among the lowest in ASEAN, with generic drugs priced 1,5 to 2 times below the regional average.
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Drug production at a company in TP HCM. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Despite these successes, the Minister recognized that the pharmaceutical industry still confronts several challenges. These include a reliance on imported raw materials, limited capacity for new drug research and development, and an insufficient ability to engage fully in the global pharmaceutical value chain.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam is committed to refining its regulatory framework, ensuring a consistent supply of quality drugs at fair prices, and fostering the growth of the domestic pharmaceutical industry. This focus includes raw materials, high-tech pharmaceuticals, and biological drugs. Concurrently, efforts are underway to enhance quality control, combat counterfeit medicines, accelerate digital transformation, and cultivate a skilled pharmaceutical management workforce.
"Vietnam is committed to developing a modern, self-reliant, and deeply integrated pharmaceutical industry," the Minister stated, "with the goal of boosting drug research and production capabilities and ensuring public access to quality medicines at reasonable costs."
Le Nga
