IQGx(*) 1st anniversary: Clear recommendations to improve Vietnamese patients’ access to quality medicines

Hanoi, October 17th, 2017 – the EuroCham International Quality Generics Sector Committee (IQGx) under the EuroCham Healthcare Forum [1] has marked its one-year anniversary as a successful platform dedicated to discussing approaches towards an ever-improving business environment for the healthcare industry in Vietnam. Over the past year, the EuroCham IQGx has become an active partner for key healthcare stakeholders, having been recognised as an important forum working towards better access for patients to affordable and high quality pharmaceutical products in the country.

The continuous demographic increase in Vietnam, as well as a rise in non-communicable diseases have generated intensified demand for healthcare. During this shift, Vietnam patients have become increasingly overburdened with high out-of-pocket payments, and therefore further requiring affordable treatment options. In this context, universal health coverage surfaces as the most critical healthcare priority to ensure social welfare. In recent years, the Government has presented a number of policies to deal with pressing healthcare issues such as: increasing patients’ access to healthcare, using national healthcare budget effectively, increasing tender and procurement; and encouraging high quality generic pharmaceuticals.

IQGx in the Whitebook Launch 2017 and EVFTA Outlook

Over the past 12 months, IQGx has employed numerous efforts to deliver its commitment towards improving the Vietnamese patients’ access to high quality medicines. Moreover, efforts have also gone into contributing to policy-making with the goal to enhance the business environment. The IQGx has sent many valuable recommendations to the Vietnamese Government through different channels, of which those included in the EuroCham Whitebook (launched in March 2017) are a good example. Another landmark of its advocacy work was the scientific symposium “Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) Methodology and Applications in Decision-Makings for Off-Patent Pharmaceuticals”, co-organised with the Ministry of Health (Hanoi, July 2017). This event gathered key stakeholders to explore the title concept and exchange opinions on the potential application of international best practices in regards to using MCDA for off-patent pharmaceutical reimbursement decisions in Vietnam.

EuroCham Vice Chairman and IQGx Chairman meet Deputy Director of VSS

The EuroCham IQGx vows to continue to work as effectively as possible towards the future of healthcare in Vietnam, taking also into account the context of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement scheduled to come into force in 2018. The sector committee will continue to apply the same constructive approaches in its joint activities, having in mind the well-being of patients, improving Vietnam’s business environment, and the advancement of the country as a whole.

Please refer to this IQGx Advocacy Hightligh 2017 for more information

Jens Ruebbert, EuroCham Chairman, said “the EuroCham IQGx is the youngest sector committee in EuroCham’s Healthcare Forum and has been delivering well in promoting opportunities for international quality generics businesses. The sector committee has brought about important efforts to create a platform where companies and Vietnamese authorities can discuss solutions for effective and inclusive policy-making. For over one year, the group has been actively working with other Healthcare sector committees under EuroCham, which together bring a valuable contribution to the healthcare industry in Vietnam.”

Ngo Van Huy, Chairman of IQGx highlighted that “for the past year, IQGx has created a new platform where some issues and solutions were discussed among like-minded business professionals in the industry. We will continuously look for ways to partner with various healthcare stakeholders and provide recommendations to the government. We aim to deliver an affordable, high quality, and sustainable supply of trusted branded generic medicines and services, ultimately helping patients to obtain better access to healthcare in Vietnam.” 

Mr. Torben Minko, Vice Chairman of IQGx stated: “high quality generics play a critical role in maximizing the efficiency of the public healthcare system through improved accessibility of patients to affordable medical therapies. IQGx is committed to advocate for a better outcome in developing effective solutions through a constructive dialogue with the government, protecting and improving the health of patients in Vietnam.”

About IQGx:
International Quality Generics Sector Committee (IQGx) under EuroCham Healthcare Forum is a platform of sharing privileged information and solutions, as well as good practices among well reputed international generics businesses with the aim to enhance the health quality of Vietnamese patients. Based on its strong commitment to a common mission of improving Vietnamese patients’ access to quality medicines, the activities of IQGx focus on a baseline of key interests: delivering affordable, high quality, sustainable supply of trusted branded generic medicines and services to Vietnamese people; policy advocacy and collaboration with key healthcare stakeholders such as the government, providers and payers in Vietnam, towards building efficient legal frameworks and implementation platforms.

For more information on IQGx Sector Committee and its achievements, please consult: IQGx attached factsheet or visit https://www.eurochamvn.org/Sector_Committees/Overview.

[1] EuroCham’s Healthcare Forum is a coordination platform for Sector Committees operating in the Healthcare industry – at present including International Quality Generics (IQGx), Medical Devices and Diagnostics (MDD) and Pharmaceuticals (PG). The Healthcare Forum enables industry representatives to discuss, share and advocate on common interests and topics. Given its inherently diverse nature, it also covers different interests of those industry representatives. All Sector Committees are equally supported by EuroCham.