Recently, Bio-Rad Laboratories, a California-based firm, was accused of handing out bribes to Vietnamese officials in order to win a contract. Nguyen Van Tien, vice chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee of Social Affairs, underlined the necessity of clarifying whether the company is trading in medical equipment or pharmaceuticals.

Nguyen Van Tien, vice chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee of Social Affairs

“Currently, it is common practice for doctors to be given commissions on the prescriptions they write. This process needs to be controlled, and the way to do that is to audit the expenses of pharmaceutical firms, along with those who benefit from their payments. This, however, is a very difficult process to undertake. At least in the case of Bio-Rad Laboratories, I hope we can find those who are responsible,” Tien said.

He went on to say that violators must be strictly dealt with and that the bribery system has become very sophisticated, ranging from sponsoring business trips to foreign countries to directly handing out cash. It is difficult to control the prices of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, and it has been suggested that the NA should add one article concerning pharmaceuticals to the law. 

“Currently, dozens of foreign pharmaceutical companies are operating in Vietnam, and I think giving commissions has become the norm in the sector. The means of payment is diverse and hard to control,” he noted.

Vice Chairman of the NA’s Committee of Justice Nguyen Dinh Quyen

Vice Chairman of the NA’s Committee of Justice Nguyen Dinh Quyen, said, “I’m not really surprised to hear about that case, as it is an obvious result of lax management.”

Tien said that the fact that cash is largely used in Vietnam makes it more difficult to combat this type of corruption.

Meanwhile, Quyen said that a combination of fines and strict criminal punishments could create an effective deterrent for those who would break the law.