On May 18, Ho Chi Minh City Police said authorities had verified social media advertisements promoting an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis product branded Yeztugo, allegedly linked to US-based pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc.

According to investigators, no such product has been registered, licensed, or sold in Vietnam despite widespread online claims suggesting otherwise.

Social media platforms had recently been flooded with posts advertising the so-called HIV prevention drug under sensational labels such as “injectable PrEP,” “HIV vaccine,” “arriving in August,” and “VND2.5 million ($98) per shot,” triggering public concern and confusion.

Following an investigation, HCMC police and the Department of Health confirmed that the product has not been approved for circulation in Vietnam.

Authorities also said Gilead Sciences Inc has neither manufactured nor authorized the import or distribution of the product in the Vietnamese market.

Investigators identified the person behind the viral posts as T.T.H., an employee at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

During questioning, H. admitted learning that the product Yeztugo had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and was drawing public attention internationally.

H. then gathered information from foreign websites, including details about ingredients, uses, dosage and packaging images.

Using editing software, H. created manipulated images of the medicine box to make it appear as a commercially manufactured product before posting them on a personal social media account to attract engagement and increase likes.

Police noted that many internet users had shared the posts without verifying the information, fueling misconceptions and leading some people to prematurely label the case as a “fake drug ring” despite the absence of any official conclusion from authorities.

Investigators confirmed that T.T.H. was not involved in producing or selling the product.

As of now, authorities have not recorded any cases of people purchasing or using the product, nor any reports of health impacts linked to the posts.

After working with police, the individual acknowledged the violation, removed all related posts and pledged not to repeat the behavior.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Inspectorate has also issued an administrative fine of VND35 million ($1,370) against T.T.H. for “advertising a drug without a valid circulation registration certificate or with an expired registration.”

Dam De