18 Pharmacies Fined Hundreds of Millions for Selling Unlicensed and Expired Products

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has recently released a list of pharmaceutical and cosmetic establishments found in violation of regulations, with penalties imposed between November 1 and 15. The list includes 18 manufacturing and trading facilities in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sector, facing fines ranging from VND 4 million to VND 140 million, depending on the severity of the violations.

Khang Thinh Import-Export Limited Company (30/110 Do Nhuan, Tan Son Nhi Ward) received the highest fine of VND 140 million, along with two additional penalties: a 24-month suspension of cosmetic production and a 4.5-month suspension of cosmetic sales. The company was found guilty of producing cosmetics without meeting the required conditions and launching products without obtaining the necessary approval certificates.

Hoang Khang Pharmaceutical and Herbal Company Limited (110 Road No. 3, Lu Gia Residential Area, Phu Tho Ward) was fined VND 108 million for mixing pharmaceuticals with food and household items, failing to segregate expired or unverified medications, and selling prescription drugs without a valid prescription. The company was also ordered to destroy seven drug items with untraceable origins.

Anh Khang Pharmaceutical Company Limited (23 Road 783A Ta Quang Buu, Chanh Hung Ward) faced a VND 100 million fine, and its professional manager, Nguyen Tran Huong Lan, had her license suspended for 4.5 months due to selling pharmaceuticals at a location not specified in their certification.

Other penalized businesses include Huong Dieu Trading Company Limited (E6 Booth, Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Center, 134/1 To Hien Thanh, Hoa Hung Ward), fined VND 35 million for improper drug storage, unverified raw materials, and forced destruction of untraceable medications; and Vi Long Trading and Investment Joint Stock Company (83/4B Quang Trung, Thong Tay Hoi Ward), fined VND 30 million for trading pharmaceuticals outside their licensed scope.

Among pharmacies, recurring violations were noted, such as the absence of professional managers during operating hours, dispensing prescription drugs without a prescription, improper drug storage, mixing pharmaceuticals with cosmetics and dietary supplements, and failing to segregate expired or unverified medications.

Hong Chau 2 Pharmacy (E8/6D Thoi Hoa, Hamlet 5A, Vinh Loc Commune) received the heaviest penalty of VND 51 million for six violations: absence of a professional manager during operating hours, dispensing prescription drugs without a prescription, improper drug storage, mixing pharmaceuticals with cosmetics and dietary supplements, failure to submit required reports, and non-compliant storage facilities.

Vuong Tron Pharmacy (282 Cong Quynh, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) was fined VND 36.5 million.

Violations included: Lack of segregation or separate storage for drugs or herbal medicines that are substandard, recalled, expired, or of unknown origin; Dispensing prescription drugs without a valid prescription.

Failure to maintain a separate area for non-drug products or to display a sign in that area clearly stating “This product is not a drug,” or mixing non-drug products with pharmaceuticals when also selling cosmetics, dietary supplements, or medical devices as permitted by law.

Other notable penalties for similar violations were imposed on Long A Chau 1 Pharmacy (443B Hai Ba Trung, Xuan Hoa Ward), fined VND 32.5 million; Minh Anh Pharmacy (197 Nguyen Tu Gian, An Hoi Tay Ward), fined VND 39.5 million; Bao Minh Chau Pharmacy (151B TX25, Organization 29, KP2, Thoi An Ward), fined VND 36.5 million; and Trung Son Alpha Pharmaceutical Company Limited – Trung Son Pharmacy (819-821 Pham The Hien Road, Chanh Hung Ward), fined VND 23 million.

The penalty list also includes Duc Tam Western Pharmacy (1603/1D Vuon Lai, An Phu Dong Ward), Phuoc Hiep Western Pharmacy (15/1E Trung My Road, New Hamlet 2, Ba Diem Commune), Ngoc Chau 68 Business Household (11C Lang The Road, Hamlet 2, Phu Hoa Dong Commune), Truc Anh 6 Pharmacy (66A Go Cat, Ward 4, Long Truong Ward), Thien Phuong Pharmacy (101 Tam Da, Tam Da Ward, Long Phuoc Ward), Huynh Duoc 1 Pharmacy (170A Tan Hoa Dong, Phu Lam Ward), and Minh Chau 6 Pharmacy (364 To Ky, Ward 5, Trung My Tay Ward).

These establishments were fined between VND 4 million and VND 21.5 million for violations such as the absence of professional managers during operating hours, dispensing prescription drugs without a prescription, and improper drug storage.

According to the Inspection and Legal Department, establishments found trading pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or raw materials of unknown origin or storing them improperly are required to destroy the violating products to ensure consumer safety.

The list of violations is publicly available on the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health’s electronic information portal, enabling easy access for citizens and authorities to monitor pharmaceutical and cosmetic trading activities in the area.