Nghe An: Only nearly 50% of the active ingredients in circulating drugs were tested.

(Baonghean.vn) - The testing center in Nghe An has only tested 500 active ingredients out of more than 1,000 circulating on the market; the number of cosmetic samples tested is still limited.

This was the content raised during the meeting of the Provincial People's Committee to hear and give opinions on the Project for Investment, Construction and Development of the Center for Testing Drugs, Cosmetics, and Food in Nghe An Province for the period 2017-2025.

Comrade Le Minh Thong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, clearly stated: Improve the quality of inspection and supervision of the quality of medicines, cosmetics, and food to protect the health of the people. Photo: Thanh Son

According to the draft plan: The Nghe An Provincial Center for Testing Drugs, Cosmetics, and Food is the sole agency responsible for inspecting, monitoring, and managing the quality of drugs, cosmetics, and food in the locality.

During the period 2012-2016, the center performed over 90 types of techniques (27 of which were advanced techniques). Each year, the center analyzed more than 1,300 samples, including 800 samples of modern medicine, over 400 samples of traditional medicine, 80 samples of bottled drinking water and domestic water, and 50 samples of cosmetics.

In the past, the center's operations have faced many difficulties and limitations due to: dilapidated infrastructure; inadequate and inconsistent equipment; uneven quality of staff; and the large quantity and variety of medicines, cosmetics, and food products circulating in the area, making control difficult.

The center has only tested 500 active ingredients out of more than 1,000 circulating on the market; the number of cosmetic samples tested is still limited; some techniques for testing functional foods have not yet been implemented; and some parameters have to be sent to the central or provincial level for testing.

Representatives from the Nghe An Department of Health present the draft plan. Photo: Thanh Son

The project aims to invest in and build a center with sufficient capacity, with the goal of developing it into a regional technical center in the North Central region. Specifically: By 2025, the center will be built at a new location, meeting medical principles and standards; performing over 80% of required techniques, including 60% advanced techniques... The total estimated investment cost for construction is 93 billion VND from central, provincial, and self-funded sources.

At the meeting, representatives from various departments and agencies contributed their opinions to the draft. All opinions agreed that the establishment of a plan for the investment, construction, and development of the center is essential. However, the financial and investment solutions, as well as the human resource and organizational structure solutions presented in the draft plan, are not yet specific enough and require further careful consideration.

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Le Minh Thong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, stated: The current situation of substandard medicines, counterfeit cosmetics, and uncontrolled functional foods is very concerning. Developing a center to improve the quality of inspection and supervision of medicines, cosmetics, and food is essential for better health care and protection of the people, ensuring consumer rights.

Comrade Le Minh Thong requested that the Nghe An Department of Health incorporate the opinions of relevant departments and agencies to finalize the project proposal. This proposal should clearly state the current situation, the necessity of the project, and the relocation to a new location; clearly outline the training plan, the phased investment in procurement, and the roadmap towards self-sufficiency.

Thanh Son