From January 1, 2018, national centralized bidding for health insurance-covered drugs

The Government Office has just issued Notice 400/TB-VPCP on the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue at a meeting on the issue of the Health Insurance Fund (HIF) and the national centralized bidding for HI drugs conducted by the Vietnam Social Security.

From January 1, 2018, national centralized bidding for health insurance drugs

The viewpoints, objectives, and policies on health insurance and basic social services are major, important issues, directly related to the task of ensuring social security. However, the legal basis system and the organization and implementation of health insurance still have many shortcomings. The health insurance fund is at risk of being unbalanced. There are many cases of fraud and profiteering from the fund. The principles of "contribution - benefit" and risk sharing have not been strictly followed. The system of economic and technical norms in the health sector is incomplete. The coordination between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Vietnam Social Security is not close.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue requested the Ministry of Health to accept and explain the recommendations of relevant ministries and agencies, and complete the Draft Decree amending Decree No. 105/2014/ND-CP dated November 15, 2014 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law on Health Insurance. Ensure compliance with the provisions of the Law on Health Insurance and related laws, in accordance with reality, the balance capacity of the state budget and the balance capacity of the Health Insurance Fund. For the contents that are not accepted, there must be specific and convincing explanations.

In addition, there must be a comprehensive assessment report on the implementation results of the Law on Health Insurance, the management and use of the Health Insurance Fund, specific recommendations for solutions, and a report to the Government.

The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Vietnam Social Security, based on their assigned functions and tasks, shall strengthen the inspection and examination of the implementation of health insurance policies; promote the application of information technology in the management and implementation of health insurance policies.

The Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Security strengthen coordination in developing and implementing health insurance policies; proactively discuss and resolve difficulties, and have regulations to ensure coordination between the two agencies is regular, timely, and effective.

The State Audit Office includes the audit of the implementation of health insurance policies in its 2018 plan.

National centralized bidding for health insurance drugs from January 1, 2018

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue also requested the Ministry of Health to strengthen drug price management, aiming to reduce drug prices by 10-15% in 2017, especially prices of expired drugs; and strictly control bidding for drugs, supplies, and medical equipment.

Vietnam Social Security will implement national centralized bidding for health insurance drugs according to Resolution No. 59/NQ-CP dated July 7, 2016 of the Government from January 1, 2018. The Ministry of Health will coordinate and provide specific instructions on bidding for drug purchases by Vietnam Social Security, ensuring competitiveness according to regulations.

According to Infonet