VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Department of Health is setting up 25 inspection teams to appraise the working of both private and foreign medical clinics, drug and cosmetics stores, and cosmetic surgery clinics.

Their inspections will be carried out from this month through the end of the year.

The department petitioned the city People's Committee to ensure relevant market management agencies work together with it to prevent illegal imports and distribution of fake medicines and cosmetics.

It is set to announce some new medical and pharmaceutical regulations and penalties for flouting rules.

The department has written to the Department of Information and Communications to vet all advertisements by medical facilities that have foreign doctors and nurses, especially Chinese nationals.

Its inspection of seven traditional medicine clinics with Chinese doctors last week found them failing to follow regulations.

Besides, its inspectors have also checked 4,421 other clinics, pharmaceutical and cosmetic stores, and beauty salons this year.

They discovered 808 cases of violations by having expired or no licences, making misleading advertising claims, and selling expired drugs and cosmetics.

Most also lacked facilities required to store and trade drugs and cosmetics. The department suspended 191 outlooks and slapped total fines of VND2.3 billion (US$110,576).

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News