Discussing the revised draft Law on Pharmacy at the ongoing 45th session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee, legislators asked whether permanent pharmacy practice certificates would continue to be issued for pharmacists or they should be renewed every five years.
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| Medicine supply chain at the Imexpharm Pharmaceutical Joint Stcok Company__Photo: Internet |
The administrative procedures would be burdensome if pharmacists had to go to administrative agencies to have their certificates extended every five years, said Nguyen Van Hien, Chairman of the NA Justice Committee, citing permanent certificates were more suitable. He proposed the health sector to periodically test qualifications of pharmacists.
NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung added that it would be unwise to complicate the process by requiring pharmacists to renew their certificates every five years, since the country was working on simplifying administrative procedures.
However, Hung asked the health sector to conduct more inspections on the quality of drugs and drug stores to ensure customers’ access to the best quality medication.
Meanwhile, NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu requested the Ministry of Health to provide more detailed information on the strengths and weaknesses of the two options.
At the session, lawmakers also asked the Government to submit the draft Law on Demonstration for consideration at the 11th meeting of the 13 Legislature.
They requested the Government to confirm whether or not this draft law would be included in the meeting’s agenda because it was a sensitive law that drew much attention from NA deputies and voters.
After being submitted by the Government, the draft law would be discussed by the NA Standing Committee at its 46th session next month before the 11th meeting opens, said NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.
At the 11th meeting, scheduled to take place from March 21 to April 9, the NA will consider and pass seven draft laws on pharmacy, press, access to information, child protection, care and education, conclusion of, accession to and implementation of treaties, tax administration, and excise tax.- (VNS/VLLF)
