Exports of drugs used for COVID-19 treatment suspended from April 16

The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) under the Ministry of Health (MOH) has sent an express dispatch to drug manufacturers, exporters and importers concerning the temporary suspension of exports of drugs used in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Doctors are taking care of COVID-19 patients. (Illustrative image)
Doctors are taking care of COVID-19 patients. (Illustrative image)

Accordingly, in order to ensure the supply and adequate reserve of COVID-19 response drugs for the people, the DAV has requested that drug manufacturers, exporters and importers suspend the exports of drugs included in the list of drugs used in COVID-19 treatment (enclosed with the dispatch) from April 16, 2020 until further notice from the DAV.

The list of drugs used in COVID-19 treatment has been compiled on the basis of the Minister of Health’s Decision No. 941/QD-BYT dated March 17, 2020 on issuing the list of medical equipment and essential drugs for an isolated treatment area for COVID-19 patients, and Decision No. 1344/QD-BYT dated March 25, 2020 on promulgating instructions for the diagnosis and treatment of the acute respiratory infection caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

The express dispatch responds to the Prime Minister’s directions in his Directive No. 15/CT-TTg dated March 27, 2020 on drastically implementing the peak phase of COVID-19 prevention and control, which requests ministries, sectors and localities to prepare adequate human resources, equipment, medicine, medical supplies and response measures related to the pandemic, as well as the Government Office’s Document No. 153/TB-VPCP dated April 10, 2020 announcing the PM’s conclusions at a meeting of the permanent cabinet on COVID-19 prevention and control, during which the Government leader assigned the MOH to suspend the export of drugs used in COVID-19 treatment.