Vietnam wants to enhance cooperation with Switzerland in the fields of pharmaceutical manufacturing and technology transfer, Health Minister Dao Hong Lan told Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass during a reception in Hanoi on December 7, according to VOV.
Lan praised the effective cooperation between the two countries in various areas, particularly in healthcare. Notably, Switzerland provided emergency assistance to Vietnam during the peak of the pandemic, which included 30 oxygen ventilators, 500,000 antigen test kits, and 300,000 respiratory masks worth a total of CHF 4.66 million (USD 5.3 million).
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| An overview of the working session in Hanoi on December 7 between Health Minister Dao Hong Lan and Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass. Photo: Ministry of Health |
Health Minister Dao Hong Lan informed the diplomat that the ministry has approved aid to support the diagnosis, treatment, and care of people with leprosy and psoriasis, as well as provide training to doctors and medical staff in Dien Bien, Hoa Binh, Lang Son, Quang Nam, and Dak Lak provinces through the Vietnam-Switzerland Anti-Leprosy Association. The aid includes a total capital of over USD 60,000 for the Central Dermatology Hospital.
Recently, the relationship between Vietnam and Switzerland has primarily focused on the pharmaceutical sector. The Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry has issued circulation registration licenses for several medicinal products from Swiss manufacturing facilities.
Given the vast potential for medical cooperation, the Health Minister proposed that Swiss pharmaceutical companies transfer technology to produce patented drugs, vaccines, and biological products that Vietnam is currently unable to produce.
She also suggested that the Swiss side provide support to the Drug Administration of Vietnam by offering training and strengthening the capacity of GMP (good manufacturing practices) inspectors.
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| Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass. Photo: Ministry of Health |
Lan mentioned that Vietnam is amending the Pharmacy Law and encouraging foreign companies, including Swiss firms, to provide their opinions on drug distribution, drug registration, and drug registration licensing, among other relevant issues.
She expressed her confidence that future cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland will continue to yield significant results, contributing to the development of bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of health, and the protection and care of people’s health.
Ambassador Gass, on his part, stated that he will personally encourage pharmaceutical companies to provide their opinions on major concerns.
He also affirmed his commitment to promoting cooperation between the two sides in general, and the health sector in particular.
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