In the coming time, the Ministry of Health will continue to review, research, revise and supplement the Circular promulgating the list of drugs covered by the Health Insurance Fund to expand the scope and ensure the quality of treatment for patients.

In response to the proposal of voters in Ho Chi Minh City to request the Ministry of Health to consider adding to the list of health insurance drugs for a number of diseases such as kidney failure, cancer, incurable diseases, etc. to better serve the medical examination and treatment needs of the people while ensuring the rights of health insurance participants, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that with the goal of implementing universal health insurance, the Ministry of Health always focuses on building and perfecting health insurance policies, especially the drug benefit package to best meet the drug use needs of patients.

Currently, Vietnam is considered one of the few countries with a relatively complete and comprehensive list of health insurance drugs, suitable for the health insurance premium. According to Circular No. 20/2022/TT-BYT dated December 31, 2022, the Ministry of Health has issued a list and rates, payment conditions for pharmaceutical drugs, biological products, radioactive drugs and markers within the scope of benefits of health insurance participants.

This list includes 1,037 active ingredients, pharmaceutical drugs and biological products divided into 27 major groups and 59 radioactive drugs and markers (including 76 active ingredients, pharmaceutical drugs and biological products belonging to the group of drugs for cancer treatment and immunoregulation; 10 active ingredients, pharmaceutical drugs and biological products belonging to the group of drugs for urinary tract diseases and peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis solutions.

Circular No. 05/2015/TT-BYT dated March 17, 2015 of the Ministry of Health also provided guidance on the list of oriental medicines, herbal medicines and traditional medicine ingredients covered by the Health Insurance Fund, including 229 oriental medicines and herbal medicines divided into 11 groups of effects and 349 traditional medicines divided into 30 groups of effects according to traditional medicine theory, not classified by hospital class.

In addition, the list of health insurance drugs in Vietnam is listed in the form of active ingredient names, ingredients, without content, dosage form and trade name. Thus, the choice of finished drugs paid for by the Health Insurance Fund at medical examination and treatment facilities is not limited by treatment indications, treatment specialties, acute or chronic diseases.

In the coming time, the Ministry of Health will continue to review, research and amend and supplement the Circular promulgating the list of drugs covered by the Health Insurance Fund to expand the scope and ensure the quality of treatment for patients. At the same time, the Ministry of Health is presiding over and coordinating with relevant units to develop a Circular regulating the direct payment of drug and medical equipment costs for patients with health insurance cards to overcome the shortage of drugs due to objective reasons, ensuring the rights and treatment needs of health insurance participants.

THANH SON