According to preliminary statistics from General Department of Customs, import turnover of pharmaceuticals in August 2024 reached 349.63 million USD, down 10.9% compared to July 2024 but up 18.7% compared to August 2023. In the first 8 months of 2024, total import of pharmaceuticals reached nearly 2.75 billion USD, up 25.2% compared to the first 8 months of 2023.
Major markets supplying pharmaceuticals to Vietnam in the first 8 months of this year were France, the US, Germany, and India; In which, the largest import was from French market, reaching 365.21 million USD, up 22% over the same period in 2023, accounting for 13.3% of total import turnover of this group of goods nationwide; followed by the US market reaching 294.31 million USD, up 17.7% over the same period, accounting for 10.7% of proportion; the German market reached over 241.87 million USD, up 19.2% over the first 8 months of 2023, accounting for 8.8% of proportion; Indian market reached over 220.78 million USD, up 36.4% over the same period last year, accounting for 8%. Imports from Italian market increased by 43% over the same period, reaching 189.28 million USD, accounting for 6.9% of proportion. Imports from the Irish market reached 133.165 million USD, up 36.02% over the same period in 2023, accounting for 4.85% of proportion.
In general, pharmaceutical imports from most markets in the first 8 months of 2024 increased in value compared to the same period in 2023.
To reduce value of pharmaceutical imports and promote development of domestic pharmaceutical production, Ministry of Health of Vietnam is focusing on improving research capacity and application of new drug production technology, promoting development of clinical pharmacy, strengthening supervision of safe and rational drug use... aiming to become a new center of science and medical innovation in the region.
In National Strategy for Development of Vietnamese Pharmaceutical Industry to 2023 and Vision to 2045, focus is on improving research capacity and applying available technology to produce generic drugs, drugs with new and modern dosage forms, aiming to become a center for manufacturing and processing, receiving technology transfer of generic drugs in the ASEAN region.
By 2030, 100% of drugs will be proactively and promptly supplied for disease prevention and treatment needs; ensuring drug security, meeting requirements of national defense, security, disease prevention and control, overcoming consequences of natural disasters, catastrophes, public health incidents and other urgent drug needs.
Domestic drugs strive to meet about 80% of the demand for use and 70% of the market value; continue to strive to achieve the goal of producing 20% of the raw material demand for domestic drug production.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn