Locally produced drugs are reportedly sold at 5%-10% lower than prices of imported medicines so that Vietnamese people should use more, instead of the imported, according to a government program. Under the plan, Vietnamese doctors are advised to use domestically-made medicines in their prescription when treating patients. Vietnam will increase the use of home-made drugs in healthcare services to 60% by 2015 from the current 50%, the Ministry of Health said, adding that the domestic pharmaceutical sector imports up to 90% of their materials. Foreign drug makers often spend a good deal of money on commissions so that doctors prescribe their drugs for patients, who prefer foreign-made medicines to the home-made ones because they believe costly products have better quality despite they have similar quality, according to experts. It is estimated that Vietnamese people spend some $2 billion-$2.3 billion on medications and the country buy $1 billion worth of drugs per year. Currently, a number of listed drug makers such as DHG, DCL, IMP, DMC, IMP and TRA, which have performed well, are attracting foreign investors. (Vietnam News Sept 25, Nhan Dan – The People Sept 23)
