Glorifying fake cancer drugs is worse than crime

Although the company was recently discovered by the authorities to be producing fake functional foods and cancer drugs from bamboo charcoal powder in Hai Phong, Vinaca Company Limited (No. 17, Alley 40, Cu Loc Street, Thuong Dinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi) was still awarded the Top 10 Brands, Products, and Services of Vietnam and the Outstanding Business Face of 2017 by the Institute of Anti-Counterfeiting Technology - Vietnam Association for Anti-Counterfeiting and Brand Protection.

Vinaca products were seized by authorities.

In the 2017 award ceremony, besides Vinaca, there were also a series of big names such as: Tan A Dai Thanh Group, Mai Hoa Oriental Medicine Joint Stock Company, ESO Education Development Company Limited, Queen Land, Maxdecor Company, Nature Life, Green World Construction & Trading Joint Stock Company,... The agreement between brands surprised and angered people and experts. The award is like a "golden ticket" to bring toxic products to consumers.

Speaking with reporters, Mr. Le Trong Anh - Acting Director of the Center for Consulting, Supporting Enterprises and Brand Development - VATAP, Standing member of the Organizing Committee of the Top 10 Brands, Products and Services of Vietnam 2017 program, said that the information and awards were given correctly. The responsibility of allowing this product to circulate on the market throughout 2017 is the responsibility of the authorities, including the Market Management force. At the same time, the leader of the Vietnam Association for Anti-Counterfeiting and Brand Protection (VATAP) said that the Institute of Anti-Counterfeiting Technology (the award organizer) although under the Association, operates independently, has its own seal, so VATAP does not manage and is not involved.

This irresponsible answer made the public extremely indignant. Mr. Vu Vinh Phu, - Economic expert, former Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Trade affirmed: The organizing unit must take joint responsibility for the brands they have honored. There is no way to avoid responsibility by "justifying" that it only honors the brand, not the product. A brand without a product, what business does that brand do?

Vinaca Top 10 Award.

In addition, Mr. Phu proposed to amend Decree 15/2018/ND-CP on the Law on Food Safety. The Decree allows businesses to self-declare food safety and then be inspected by competent authorities. This mechanism frees businesses from repeated inspections. However, this is a loophole for illegal businesses to grow like mushrooms after rain. Therefore, it is necessary to consider some special items such as cancer drugs, functional foods, etc. to have a pre-inspection stage before being put on the market. This will help create a "clean" market, so that consumers can feel more secure when buying these products.

Speaking to the press, former National Assembly member of Thanh Hoa province - Mr. Le Van Cuong frankly said: Cancer patients are miserable people, the reason for saying so is because the cost of cancer treatment is still too expensive, making it very difficult for poor patients to pursue effective treatment. Vinaca Company brings patients a ray of light at the end of the tunnel, but unfortunately it is fake medicine. Counterfeiting cancer medicine is already a crime, an organization that claims to fight counterfeiting and protect consumers condones and praises the crime, which is even more condemnable.

According to Mr. Cuong, an organization that practices and operates without thinking about the interests of the people, only thinking about its own interests, is a scam. An honored brand must have relevant documents, certificates from the Ministry of Health, the Tax Department, etc.

“If you do not have expertise, you must be assessed by the competent authority. According to the law, any individual or organization that violates the law causing serious consequences must be held responsible before the law. For now, the organizing unit must revoke the title, publicly apologize for its negligence, and be responsible for compensating for damages and legal issues. Through the above incident, the competent authority needs to study when organizing any honor program. Any profession related must have a specialized agency to consult, along with strict regulations,” Mr. Cuong suggested.